A CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 67, 16 September 1918, Page 7

A CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS

ENEMY'S WEAKNESS REVEALED

LONDON, 13th September.

Mr. PhilTp Gibbs writes: "The skilful fighting of- the Lancashire and Yorkshire Rifle Brigade and the New Zeaknders for Havrincourt, Trescault, and Moeuvres, east of Bapaume, has developed a considerable success. The 1030 prisoners captured included many sturdy soldiers.. The hardest task confronted the riflemen, who have been working alonside the New Zealanders since the offensive began. It is evident the enemy intended to defend Havrincourt Wood seriously. They had dug new rifle-pits in double rows on the end of the wood, and strong bodies of marksmen, with machine-guns, held them.. The English battalions dashed through the north-west corner, while the New Zealanders pushed forward below the wood. Thus the enemy machinegunners were out-flanked and retreated during the night. When dawn broke yesterday our guns were- brought up, by a miracle of labour, through miles of mud, and provided a creeping barrage* behind which the infantry resumed the advance. The enemy troops had been ordered to hold Havincourt, Trescault, and Gouzeaucourt at all coste. ■ They comprised divisions which had suffered heavily in the recent fighting, yet had not received' any fresh drafts, which strikingly reveals the unexpected weakness of the German resources, as the same thing has been observed lately on other parts' of the front. The enemy fought hard in strong positions, especially on the ridge behind Trescault. A British battalion commander reconnoitred the position and then ordered an attack, which was successful after a fierce fight, in which 140 men and 18 machineguns were taken."