UNCHECKED FORWARD ADVANCE OF BRITISH FORGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16950, 9 September 1918, Page 6

UNCHECKED FORWARD ADVANCE OF BRITISH FORGES.

STkONG KEAEGUAED RESISTANCE MET AND BROKEN. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON. Sept. 6. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes: The enemy is fighting bitter rearguard actions at machine-gun range-, but has been forced to give ground everywhere. The vital sector is still the country south of the Sensee Eiver below Douai and west of Cambrai, where we followed up the breach in the Drocourt line. The Germans were ordered to hold the line of the Tortille River and the crossings of the Canal du Nord at all costs, but English and Welsh battalions with the greatest gallantry threw bridges across under heavy fire, and gained the other side. In all the villages north of Peronne the German garrisons are fighting desperately to gain time for the retreat of the main forces. They are receiving stronger support from artillery than previously, some of the guns coming close to our lines in order to destroy approaching tanks, which are having a demoralising effect upon the German troops. The poor devils of German infantry are having a tragic time. They are left week after week in the line until only thin remnants remain, and are never free of fear of our tanks. Their chief hope is that they will be captured. Letters from home found on prisoners show general horror at further fighting. The strain of war has been too long and enormous, and the failure of the offensive has broken the spirit of many units but we are not fighting cowards or whimperers. The machine-gunners especially take a lot of beating. Our men, however, are going forward with gladness and exultation. It is an astonishing pageant to see hundreds of thousands of English, Scottish, Welsh, Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders all moving forward and never stopping.