CAPTURE OF BULLECOURT

Grey River Argus, 16 May 1917, Page 3

CAPTURE OF BULLECOURT

ENEMY TAKEN BY SURPRISE

GREAT DASH OF BRITISH

("Reuters" Telegram.)

(Rec May is. B. so p.m.)

LONDON. May 14.

Latest, telegrams from the British front state: We. have continued to increase vhe numbers of prisoners by clearing out nests of German snipers and machine gunners at Bullecourt. The weather has broken. The Germans used a thunderstorm as cover for ineffectual attacks at night upon the mass of brick and wood which was once Bullecourt. The Australians not only held all their gains but repulsed violent attacks intended to assist the remnants of the garrison in the village, who were then holding isolated houses eastward of Bullecourt.

The British attack which, was brilliaiU'y devised, was launched at dawn on Sunday. Instead of a frontal attack the British commander ordered a double flanking movement including an advance on the south-east side from the section of the Hindenburg line which the Australians had captured on- 3rd May. The other attack was upon the Hindenburg. line in the direction of Fontaines-Croiselles. The British advance was? so quick and the dash of the men so great that the defendants of the village were encircled before they knew what was happening They obeyed the order to fight to the death to the letter, and not a single unwounded prisoner was taken in the villag-e.

The attackers from the south-east surprised a body of German troops wjwtin gto reinforce the defenders of the village. These surrendered without fighting.

The prisoners included men from three Guards divisions.