AN IMPORTANT VICTORY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 15

AN IMPORTANT VICTORY.

SIR DOUGLAS HARTS REPORTS

Sir Douglas-Haig reports: Wo attacked on the morning of the 19th inst. eastward of Ypres on an eight-mile front between the Ypres-Comincs Canal and the Ypres-St. Aclien railway. Great success attended our troops, and positions of considerable military importance were won. Heavy casualties wore inflicted. We assembled our attacking regiments without incident, despite a steady rainfall during the night. Our first objectives were captured at an early hour, including a number of concreted string points and fortified farms, for the possession of which there had been previous heavy fighting. Tho North Country regiments carried Inverness Copse, the Australians stormed Gloncorse Wood and Nonne Boschen, the Scottish and South African Brigades took the Potsdam, Vampir, and Borey Farms, and the West Lancashire Territorials carried Iberian Farm and a strong point called Gallipoli.

Wo then advanced to assault our final objectives. The English country troops on our right reached their final objectives after sharp fighting in the woods northward of the Ypres-Comines Canal, and the North Country and Australian battalions, in tho centre, penetrated positions to a depth of over a mile and captured the whole of their objectives, including the hamlet of Veldhook and tho western portion of Polygon Wood. Further north, Zevenkok was captured, and the London and Highland Territorials car-, riod the second line of farms, including Roso Farm, Quebeo Farm, and Wust Farm, on the line of the final objectives. The weather cleared, and our aeroplanes were able to take an active part in tho battlo, indicating the position of our troops and reporting hostile concentrations to our artillery. Thus a number of German counter-attacks were broken and others were repulsed by our infantry. More detailed accounts of the battle confirm tho completeness of our success. In the evening our local attacks in the neighbourhood of tho Tower Hamlets, north-eastward of Langemarck, cleared up a number of strong points and completed the capture of oxtr objectives, and these have now been established.

Many counter-attacks were delivered by considerable forces of the enemy 'in tho afternoon and evening, and tho German casualties were unusually great. Tho clear light in the latter part of the day enabled us to obtain warning of the impending attacks, and in every case the advancing German infantry were destroyed by our concentrated machine-gun, rifle, and artillery fire. Tho obstinacy with which the enemy constantly repeated their attacks only added to their losses, Without their recovering any valuable ground.

Exhausted by their previous efforts, the enemy' did not counter-attack during tho night, and we were able to consolidate our gains undisturbed. Our losses were light. Further evidence allows tho continuous and obstinate nature of the counter-attacks on tho 19th inst, in which tho enemy suffered exceptionally heavy losses, whilo not gaining any advantage. Minor fighting occurred on the 20th in different parts of tho front. Wo have advanced our line at a number of points and have beaten off counter-attacks. On the morning of tho 20th English county troops made an attack eastward of Langcmarck. The prisoners from the fighting exceed 3000. Our right captured a collection of trenches and strong concreted points southward of Tower Hamlets. Tlie enemy later launched a powerful counter-attack against Tower Hamlets Ridge, which we repulsed after heavy fighting. Tho Liverpool and Lancashire Regiments eastward of St. .Tulien gained possession of a fortified farm, and cleared up a number of dug-outs and strong points fronting the new position. Our artillery broko up counter-attacks. A powerful counterattack in massed formation on a wide front eastward of St. Julien penetrated at one point for a short distance in our new positions, but tho enemy were immediately driven out. We repulsed the enemy at all other points with great loss, and our whole lino was intact at tho end of two hours' fierce fightinsr. The attack was delivered with great determination, and tho enemy losses were exceedingly severe. "We completely repulsed a strong attack on both sides of the Ypres-Menin road, and we crushed a counter-attack eastward of Langomarck.

During the day there was heavy fighting southward of the Ypres-Menin road. The enemy fought with great determination, but was unsuccessful in an effort to regain the Tower Hamlets Ridge. The Durham troops on the 20th completely repulsed tbree strong counter-attacks northward of Tower Hamlets. Further south repented hostile attacks compelled oxir advanced troops to fall back slightly from part of the ground gnined the previous day in this area. The whole of tho T>ositions captured on Thursday are securely in our possession. There have been no further counter-attacks, but there Is great reciprocal artillery firing all along the front. Chir fire prevented an attempted raid in the neighbourhood of tho Arras-Cambrai road,

and wo successfully raided eastwards of Monchy le Prcux. Wo completely repulsed storm troops north-east or Langemarck. English rillo regiments then attacked and captured, after sharp fighting, a further portion of the defence in /this neighbourhood, and took a number of prisoners. The organisation of the newly-captured positions on the rest of the battle-front is proceeding. Wo repulsed an attack eastward of Villiret. We have captured 3243 prisoners (including 80 officers) on the Yprcs battle front since the commencement of the attack on the 20th inst. A CORRESPONDENT'S ACCOUNT. The United Press correspondent says: The British attacked heavily on a long front centring in the YpresMenin road. There was fierce fighting in Inverness Copse, Glencorse Wood, Nonno Bosches "Wood, and Nunbarton Lakes. The battle began at 5.40 a.m. on the 19th inst. The ground was muddy from heavy showers overnight, and the clouds were only 600 ft high, with a wind blowing 30 miles an hour. Five barrages formed five walls of flying steel, these weaving backwards and forwards across the ground like a complicated loom, barrage passing through barrage over the whole zone of destruction, which crept steadily forward. Any prisoners taken must have come from dug-outs, as nothing could live, through such a storm. The troops at the centre followed the barrage up the heights towards Hamleton Ridge, by the famous Polygon Wood. The enemy' were keenly alive to the importance of the heights we were forcing by a centre attack, and they made desperate efforts to return. The Germans, suspecting an attack, moved considerable troops forward, which our fire caught. Tanks were used sparingly owing to the ground being unfavourable. In any caso these were not necessary, as the artillery preparation had been of a greater depth than hitherto. All the troops agree that there never was such a barrage. It shattered the "pill boxes," some being completely blown out of the ground. The gun crews inside were dead, the concreted organised shell holes and machine-gun emplacements being filled with corpses. By the roadside one saw scores of wounded laughing and joking and drinking tea with wounded Germans. Notwithstanding the cyclonic shelling in places northward of the Ypres-Roulers railway, the British positions were firmly consolidated. The Germans north-cast of St. Julien who were massing for an assault, dwindled under our lire. The counterattack has not developed. Local affairs have improved the British positions. A wounded lance-corporal summed up the prevailing impression when he, said: "Let Fritz counterattack ; Ave are ready for him. By the time our now barrage rolls over him a couplo of times, with machine-gun variations, ho will bo a mighty sick man." AN INFANTRY TRIUMPH. Mr Percival Phillips writes: "The battle reached its greatest intensity between Saint Julien and tho cemetery at Hollebeko, where we made the greatest gains. Tho British, fighting with tho utmost enthusiasm beyond tho broken forest, swept over a more broken area comprising fortified farms and innumerable 'pill-boxes. l It was a very complete triumph for the infantry, which never attacked with moro determination or vigour; for the artillery, which furnished the finest set of barrages yet seen; and for. the men behind, who planned a disastrous sui - priso for the enemy. It was a triumph of men over concrete, of guns over 'pill-boxes,' and of British grit and skill over German tactics. The result of tho day's struggle was that our line was placed on better ground beyond tho many barriers confronting us so long. The most important gains were between Hollebeko and Wosthoek, southwards of the YprtvRoulera railway, along a stretch of open farm land, and thence northwards. An important element of tho defence was a series of fortified farm 3, which were heavily bombed, The surviving machine-gun crews emerged and were taken prisoners. Schuler Farm has hitherto been impregnable, being surrounded by water on three sides and flanked by tho Schuler Gallery—a long lino of 'pill-boxes,' arranged to meet attacks from several directions. These points wero tho sceno of heavy fighting. A regimental order found on prisoners shows that the garrisons in these advanced posts were warned at 1 o'clock in tho morning to expect a British assault. Tho German batteries between 1 and 2 o'clock heavily bombed the portion of tho British front south of Schuler Farm. Prisoners profess thai tho attack was unexpected, but all the evidence shows that tho Gorman command was aware that trouble was imminent, but was unable to ascertain the extent of the attacking front. Tho Zonnebcke Redoubt—a massive concrete structure at tho fork of the railway and a road —was stormed with some trouble. The oapturo of a redoubt midwav between Wosthoek and Zonnebeko was effected by flanking parties bombing and shattering tho doors. The remnants of the garrisons then surrendered. The Germans only resisted when they thought their shelters were shellproof and bombproof. Tho

fighting in tho wooded country in the centre of the attack was as satisfactory as . tho fighting northward, but it was slower owing to the mud, ' water and masses of broken timbers. Wo got through Glencorse Wood and Nonne Boschen before eight. The most difficult task in this sector befell the troops south of tho Inverness Copse, where tho mud was deep and full of broken wire, and where there wa3 much machine-gun fire. Nevertheless, this difficult region was cleared and gained by the Tower Hamlets before wo anticipated. All our troops, partaking in the battle were specially trained to meet the new German tactics ( and they succeeded to everyone's satisfaction. They went over without packs or other heavy kit. The chango proved of great benefit, especially in tho heavy and they wero able to attack the 'pill boxes' in a sort of skirmishing stylo. The 'pill had given them previously many a bad time. Pessimists predicted that they would kill any infantry advance, but our new tactics killed the 'pill boxes instead. As an instance of the lightness of our casualties one battalion, advancing 500 yards in a forest over difficult ground, had only three men wounded. In another oaso a company had! five oasualties." TRIBUTE TO THE AUSTRALIANS. Mr Gilmour, special correspondent at the front for the Australian, and New Zealand Press Association, pays a tribute to the Australians' fighting. He says the Australian army was never in such splendid battle condition. Their impetuous dash, combined with their perfect training, is a feature in thoir victorious -advance. They are extraordinary for tho intelligence and restraint of the officers and the cohesion and strict discipline of tho men. Ho adds: It cannot yet bo said that our artillery is overwhelmingly preponderating, and much is still left to tho infantry to accomplish. The Australian front lines followed the artillery barrage more closely in some places than discretion would have prompted, with tho result that many Germans were caught in their dugouts. The tenacity with which tho Anzacs clung to the tail of the barrage also resulted in almost totally stifling tho German machine-gunning. A young lieutenant on the fringe of tho terrific barrage, with shells bursting around him, dashed forward to a fortified post, where the Germans were waiting to receivo tho Anzacs with a machine gun. Tho lieutenant stretched his arm into the look-out hole and fired a few shots with his revolver. Tho Germans inside were killed or scuttled. This performance was repeated with equal eiiccess at the next concreted blockhouse. Mr Gilmour mentions tho excellent work of tho artillery in smashing troops assembling for counter-attacks. Tho precision of tho British attack surpassed anything previously done. Mr Percival Phillips emphasises tho statement that tho Australians were in tho centre of tho attack. They had much hard lighting between the Roulers railway and tho Menin road before they cleared Glencorse Wood and Nonno Boschen. The Australians planted tho Commonwealth flag or, tho Anzac Redoubt, and drovo nearly halfway through Polygon Wood; yet nearly all their programme was fulfilled to timetable. They went over tho parapet at 5.40 amid a heavy phell fire, because distress signals had called all the German batteries into action. Tho barrage caught some stretcher-bearers and wounded There ia a notable chango in the" Prussian prisoners' attitude. The officers aro polite and complimentary. One said: "It is a great day for the English. You have gained the year's greatest victory—far greater than at Messines." * CREDIT TO NEW ZEALANDERS. -Headquarters, in describing _ the latest British advance, sayss Considering the circumstances tho communications aro good. The credit for this is due to the New Zealand Brigade, which during a comparatively short period of preparation preceding the attack buried over 30,000 ft of telegraph cable so doeply as to defy any shelling. Tho New Zealanders also repaired the roads to tho trenches. By the devotion of various divisions in remaining in the line longer than usual it was possible to put moro than a. normally largo proportion of fresh troops into this attack. GALLANT HIGHLANDERS. Mr Philip Gibbs says: Tho attack proved that the new German method _of holding lines lightly in blockhouses, with reserves behind for counter-attacks, has broken down. If the Germans revert to tho old system of strong front lines they will suffer as they suffered on tho Somme. The reserve German divisions which wero brought up had a dreadful time. Tho counterattacks wero particularly fierce against the Highlanders on the Zonnebeko road, on the Australians' left. The Highlanders wero driven back for a while, but tho Scottish rifle fire broke every attack of the German storm troops. Six times tho latter came on with much determination, and six times their waves wero broken. Finally, three German battalions drovo against the Highlanders at the Delva Farm ro3ehouse. The Highlanders rallied at 8 o'clock, and swept the Germans out and away. Mr Gibbs emphasises the fearful hammering inflicted by the British bombardment. At least 50 per cent, of tho German prisoners wero wounded, many Germans around Polygon Wood and Glencorse Copso wero buried in shell holes between the blockhouses, and the blockhouses themselves were smashed up or so battered that the garrisons wore dazed -or demoralised*. IN A TIGHT.CORNER. Mr Philip Gibbs describes the increasingly hopeless plight of tho Germans at Lens, which is one vast ruin surrounded by other ruins stretching for milee. The Germans' only chance of safety is to shelter underground; but a tunnel is no than a death trap when a falling house blocks the entrance, or. as often happens, heavy, deeppiercing shells causo the tunnel to collapse. The Canadians have frequently drenched Lens with gas, which penetrates the cellars, dugouts, and tunnels and stifles the men before they have time to stffatch out a hand for a mask. Headquarters reports that a largo percentage of tho prisoners captured in tho latest push wero young, chiefly Bavarians. A messenger dog captured bore a message ordering that the high groiind towards Molcnaarelsthoek must bo recaptured at all costs, and ordering that all tho guns possible should range on it. The work of consolidating _is strenuously progressing under the protection of a heavy barrage. Tho ground won is of vital tactical and of high strategical importance. The day has been a great and glorious ono for the armioa in Flanders.

NEW GERMAN DEFENSIVE METHODS. Mr Robinson, The Times correspondent, says that German officers abundantly confirm the importance of the British success, and testify to the overwhelming artillery and the brilliance of the infantry advance as things incredible. They do not attempt to disguise the seriousness of the German defeat. In describing the German methods, Mr Robinson says that, instead of a single strong line, they are now based on a aa» fence of a great depth, crowding troopi into very narrow fronts, supported by strong reserves farther back, ready for irri« mediato counter-attacks. The whole area up sprinkled with concrete redoubts, with massed guns 4000 yards to 7500 yards bft« hind tho front line. This elaborate scheme was the last blosom of German It was , carefully worked out, and W&i framed with enormous industry j but we have broken it. Reutor's correspondent at say 3: Tho German positions are held s<* densely that it is estimated that there are four Germans to every yard of front, Several of the best German divisions have been so shattered as to necessitate thei* withdrawal. We have won a victory whioh loaves the enemy in this wide tract of Flanders at a serious disadvantage. Capturcd officers who ■■ have hitherto been haughty and supercilious now literally bow to their captors and confess defeat in what thoy regarded as their strongest point» They now view the future with dismay. COUNTER-ATTACKS SMASHED. Mr Philip Gibbs writes: After our men had carried their objectives everybody wat convinced that the enemy's losses were heavy, especially in the counter-attack* which were continued on Saturday and Sunday with even more disastrous results. One German regiment was carried by buses at midday on Saturday to a point behind; tho lines for tho purpose of a new assault on our positions at Polygon Wood. YVhen tho regiment took to tho road our artillery caught and dispersed them. Some companies worked their way forward and bocame lost in a chaos of shell _ craters. Instead of battalions and companies they were transformed into a collection of terror-stricken individual soldiers, without guidance or commanders.. Another column of marching men in the road belonged to the Sixteenth Bavarian Division. They had been hastily sent without maps or knowledge of tho ground and without definite instructions. A British aeroplane dropped bombs at the head of the column, and tho explosion attracted the attention of moro of our night raiders, who, flying low, dropped bombs all down tho column. This counter-attack never reached our lines.

No counter-attack reached our positions near Polygon Ridge, which 13 tho ground the enemy most wants. Tho nearest was on Saturday afternoon, when some Australians saw a glint of bayonets in a littla wood on the opposite spur. For a minuto or two they saw a movoment of men: then a fury of shells fell into tho wood and filled it with flamo and smoke.

RESOURCEFULNESS OF "TOMMY/' A report from Headquarters gives instance of i the resourcefulness of the Tommies. When a party of bombers reached a parapet somo Germans were crouching in tho trench. Owing to tho close quarters grenades would have been equally dangerous to both sides. The Tommies petted tho Bosches with waterfilled bottles, and, scenting a new source of frightfulness. tho Germans speedily " Kameraded." In describing tho German counter-attacks, Headquarters states i Fresh troops from the reserves were utilised, and they attacked with great determination, and actuallypenetrated our front to a depth of 300 yards. Fierce hand-to-hand fighting ensued, and the ground was soon filled with their corpses. Five other similar attacks of_ a. formidable nature were _ all repulsed > with great losses. Our casualties wero light. - GERMAN LOSSES. M. Marcel Hutin says i Thursday's battle cost tho Crown Princo 22,000 in dead and wounded, and the preceding preliminary bombardment cost him 10,000. The Petit Parisien says that tho German columns in tho Langemarck region, were brought up five times to assault the lost ground, and each time a hellish fire smashed the attack and decimated the battalions. One prisoner declared that of his company of 200 only four were nob killed on the spot. Tho Paris newspapers are overjoyed at the British successes. The Petit Parisien says: Tho attack may bo regarded as a first-class operation. The Allies have once again affirmed their superiority despite unfavourable weather. M. Marcel Hutin remarks: Tho chief interest of the battle consists in the occupation of almost tho whole of the western plateau, which dominates the region north of Lille and Lille itself. M. Tudesq recalls the assault of July 31, and savs that the battle was a stationary, terrible butchery, and lasted a week. Fifty German divisions wore mutilated, but the enemy's powerful defensive system remained intact. The successes now claimed are the result of the new offensive methods and the gigantic labour in # conserving roads, whereby many howitzers were brought up closo to the enemy» trenches. FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS. French communiques state: After a violent bombardment the Germans attacked our positions in the Apremont Forest. Fractions of the attackers gained a foot. ins in our advanced elements, but were driven out, and the line was re-established. After a violont bombardment south of Lainiete the enemy entered our advanced trenches, but were completely repulsed. Our fire nullified on attempted attack south of Justincourt, east of Craonne. A German attack on the salient west of Froidmont Farm was repulsed after a short but violent struggle. After a violent bombardment an enemy attack south-east of Cerny was stopped by our fire, and did not succeed in reaching our lines. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORTS. German official messages state: After a most violent fire between the South-west Wood and tho River Lys tho English launched strong attacks along a broad fron.t from Langemarck to Hollebeke at daybreak on the 19th inst. Nine British divisions, including several Australians, supported by armoured cars and flnme-throwers, made tho attack in olose formation. Tho enemy penetrated our defence zono to a depth of a kilometre, and advanced further at Passohendaeloi, He gained ground north*

ward of the Ypres-Mcnin road, but was thrown back with the heaviest losses elsewhere. His reinforcements were unable to make further progress. The villages in the fighting zone remain ours. An English monitor bombarded Ostend. A shell struck the cathedral and killed seven and wounded 2& Belgians. Our coastal batteries drove the monitor off. We repulsed strong attacks south-east of St. Julien, and drove out British troops who had penetrated our trenches south-east of Arras.