THE GERMAN RETREAT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14236, 2 March 1917, Page 3

THE GERMAN RETREAT.

THE ABANDONMENT OF GOM

MECOURT

RETREAT FAVORED BY FOGGY

WEATHER

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

(Received March 2, 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, March 1. Mr. Gibbs, the war correspondent states : —

On the 28th February the Germans abandoned Gommecourt during the night. We took possession of a salient which follows the line of the park surrounding the famous chateau. The entry into Gommecourt was strange, remembering how waves of London men on July Ist, 1916, assaulted the almost impregnable position, and held the lines with the highest valor until forced back by massed gunfire, which threatened them with annihilation.

In order to make the present retreat of Germatns possible, strong posts of Germans, with machine-guns, held out m the neighboring woods till the last. Throughout the night the enemy kept up a heavy firo with high explosives upon Serre. Mirnumont, and Grandecourt, using up the reserves of ammunition.

Many heavy guns remain on railway mountings behind Bapaume, doing double duty by quickfiring. After the ca.ptnre of Thllloy the enemy retired to Loupart Wood, "Aehiet le Petit, and Baequoy, which are strongly defended' by thick belts of wire.

Evidently the German retirement Ls due to fear that if he stayed on the old line our attack m the spring might break his armies. Tliey were lucky to have foggy weather lo aid their retreat. ■ 4 ' - Beyond Bapaume the Germans hold tho country by scattered strongholds m villages and woods, and will find themselves m trouble unless they are very quick to escape.