GERMANS TAKEN BY SURPRISE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 28 September 1918, Page 8

GERMANS TAKEN BY SURPRISE.

WHOLE HINDENBURG SYSTEM PENETRATED.

AMERICAN TROOPS ELATED

(Received Sep. 28, 11.25 am) ' NEW YORK. Sep. 27. •Mr James, continuing his report says: There is little doubt that Marshal Foch and General Pershing surprised the German commander. The Germans expected an attack in the. Si, Mihiel sector and had reinforcements there By seven o'clock the first Hindenburg defence system was captured; by nine the second line was taken; and by noon the Americans had passed-through the !whole s.erics of defence lines^and were well ahead of schedule. - Many of our' troops had never been in a battle be-' fore, but were elated beyond words at their initial success against one of the strongest enemy positions.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.