THE CAMBRAI AFFAIR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4810, 6 March 1918, Page 5

THE CAMBRAI AFFAIR.

SIR DOUCLAS HAIC’S DESPATCHES.

LOCAL SURPRISE PROVES DISASTROUS.

TRIBUTE TO VALOR OF TROOPS Australian and N.Z. Cable Association Keuter’s Telegrams. LONDON, March 4. Sir Douglas Haig, in a despatch to the War Office dealing with the battle of Cambrai, mentions that it was proposed to stop the attack 48 hours after the commencement, or sooner, if the results did not .justify its continuance.

In dealing with the reasons for continuance after the expiry of this period, Sir Douglas Haig states: The positions captured north of Flesquieres were completely commanded by the Bourloii Ridge and must be abandoned unless the ridge was gained. On the other hand, the enemy showed signs of withdrawal, arid the loss of the ridge would "probably cause tlie Germans to abandon tlie carefully-prepared defence systems for a considerable distance northward. The enemy was not yet too strong in the Bourdon region to be overcome by the numbers at Sir Douglas Haig’s disposal. An additional important argument for the continuation of tlie attack was the enemy offensive in Italy. More-over two divisions under orders for Italy were placed at Sir Douglas Haig’s disposal. Therefore the prospect of securing Bourloii seemed good.

Dealing with the enemy counterattack on November 31, Sir Douglas says:— “At the northern end of Bonair’s ridge' and Ponnelieu sector the swift- , ness of the enemy’s advance after ! opening the bombardment appeared to have overwhelmed our troops, both in the line and immediate sup- ! port, almost before they realised ‘ that an attack had begun. The nat- j ure of the bombardment contributed : to the success of the enemy’s plans. • No steadily-advancing barrage gave warning of the approach of the enemv ! assault columns, whose secret assembly was assisted by the formation of the ground and the morning mist. A great number of low-flying German aeroplanes rained machine gun fire upon our infantry, while extensive use of smoke-shells made it extremely difficult for our troops to see what was happening in other parts of the battlefield. There is little doubt that although an attack was expected generally, yet these were as in battle, while this assault effected a local surprise. The greatest credit is due to troops at Masnieres, Bourlon and Moevres for their gallant services on this day. Their steady courage and staunchness saved possible serious consequences.” Dealing with the results or the Cambrai battle, Sir Douglas Haig says there is little doubt that it vas of considerable interest and as sistance to the Allied forces in Italy, -where large demands were made upon the available German reserves at a time when a great concentration . ot German divisions were still bem„ maintained in Flanders. “Evidence is available,” he states 'that German divisions intended for the Ita ian front were diverted to Oambrai It is probable that a further concentration of German forces m Italv was necessary at the most critical period when the Italians "e’e making their first- stand on the I The partial success of the enemy s attack mav tend to show that .the garrison on this front was insufficient owiiur to want of numbers, or lack of training, or exhaustion. . Sir Douglas Haig emphasises the point that captured maps ana oideis prove that the enemy aimed at fax (rreater results than he achieved. Three convergent attacks weie to mak o» the''client fo bj the British advance. Two of ties I delivered, approximately smultai ! eouslv. near Gonnelieu and -Mas nieres. followed by a still more powerful attack on Bourlon. The object ives of these attacks extended to the high ground at Beauchamp, and HesFiult The enemy hoped to cal - kitatVovthe. t hole , lor e there within immediate ieadi ye to the mart lier ill Aich General Bracketed the fo r decisive action elseyheie-_