THE "DRAGON'S CAVE."

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14347, 12 July 1917, Page 4

THE "DRAGON'S CAVE."

STORY OF ITS CAPTURE

LONDON, July 2. Router's correspondent at French headquarters sends details of tlie fighting at the "Dragon's Cave" (near' Hurtebise). He says that the Cave, stopped the French attack which began on April 16. Both sides had succeeded m establishing themselves m trenches traversing tlie roof of the stronghold, but possession of it gave the advantage to tho Bodies [of- natural and artificial channels of communication, and enabled them to bring up their 1 -serves from shelier when required. The capture of the cave, and the- spur jutting out from the adjoining crest called "The- Finger," and the neighbouring positions whence the garrison might expect assistance, began with live days' bombardment. Tlie French had control of the southern entrance of the cave, and their fire commanded the main entrance, nullifying its use. It was impracticable to force the passage by the southern entrance, winch German posts commanded from within. Tho attacking force, consisted of picked men, attacked above ground and ruslied the German trench line above tlie cave. Almost instantly they stopped all exita from it. A Boche machine-gun post m a shaft I running down to tho interior of the cave, between the opposing trenches, was put out of action by liquid fire. The French, through a liolo made m the roof, steadily poured m bombs, and as tenure was impossible the Germans surrendered.