TANKS WIN AN ACTION ON THEIR OWN ACCOUNT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16624, 22 August 1917, Page 7

TANKS WIN AN ACTION ON THEIR OWN ACCOUNT.

GERMANS DRIVEN FROM FORTIFIED FARM HOUSES. INFANTRY ADVANCES AFTER ENEMY SURRENDERS. Australian and N.Z. (Received 9.55 p.m.) LONDON. August 20. Describing the local operation reported by Sir Douglas Haig yesterday, which advanced the British line by a mile on a sector of 500 yds north-east of Ypres, Mr. Philip Gibbs writes: "The tanks attacked at dawn yesterday north of St. Julien. This was the first time they had been employed to capture a position by themselves. After a barrage 12 tanks crossed bad ground and approached three so-called farms, which were really concrete houses mounting machineguns and garrisoned by picked men. The garrisons were brave, but their courage ebbed when the tanks crept up firing furiously. A number of Germans were killed or wounded and captured. Then the tanks sent a message to the infantry, which advanced and occupied the ground. The operation was completely successful." Router ("Received 11.40 p.m.) LONDON. August 20. A correspondent at headquarters, describing the attack in the St. Julien region, says the Germans generally fled before the tanks reached them. The infantry, following the tanks, occupied the triangle containing the Mont Busibon and Cockeront farms, which had given a lot of trouble. The total depth of the advance planned was 600 yds, but the Germans far beyond bolted. The whole affair completely vindicated the utility of the tank in this species of warfare.