NEWZEALANDERS IN ATTACK SOUTH-WEST OF CAMBRAI

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16969, 1 October 1918, Page 5

NEWZEALANDERS IN ATTACK SOUTH-WEST OF CAMBRAI

ACTION ON WHOLE FRONT BECOMING GREAT VICTORY. AUSTRALIANS PASS THROUGH AND AHEAD OF AMERICANS. BRITISH CROSS CANAL BY SWIMMING UNDER HEAVY FIRE. Router. ■ (Received 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 29. Reuter's correspondent at British headquarters, writing on Sunday evening, says: This morning's attack by the Fourth Army did not surprise the enemy, being preceded by a 48 hours' bombardment. A large force of Americans advanced in the first waves. A numerous concourse of tanks moved forward mainly on a front of 6000 yds south of Vendhuille. The weather was: fine, with light mist. The Americans, using the Vendhuille Gap as a bridge, stormed forward, deploying fanwise. A British division crossed the waterway in magnificent style, many men swimming under machine-gun fire, and entered the village of Bellenglise. The first phase of the battle had ended by nine o'clock. After a pause a dramatic incident marked the resumption of the attack. The Americans opened their ranks while the Australians, who had been moving up to support them, swept through, formed the first wave, and renewed the attack amid a storm of cheering. Hard fighting occurred at many places where the Germans had established redoubts of great strength. Strong positions south-west of Oambrai were attacked dashingly by the New Zealanders, who drove a wedge into the enemy line and took 1000 prisoners. The Canadians early in the morning were approaching Bamilles, north and slightly east of Cambrai, and were due north of the town and astride important communications. As the morning advanced it became clear the battle was developing into a fine victory. Le Catlet, the key position of the whole sector from Bellicourt to Banteux, was captured by 12 o'clock, and we were astride the St. Quentin-Cambrai railway in many places, seriously restricting the enemy's communications. Important fortified villages were carried in rapid succession. La Vacquerie, Nauroy, Bony, and Villers Guislain were taken early in the battle.