THE NET ADVANCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11366, 12 October 1917, Page 5

THE NET ADVANCE.

MARCH OF THE LANGABHIRES,

(Received Thursday, 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 11

Mr Percival Phillips says; Yesterday’s original success has been somewhat modified between . Broodseinde and Thorout railway, embracing the area of our attack from Passchendaele to the southern border of Houthulst Forest.

Some of our troops have fallen back to a line which is Still ran eh* in advance of that held yesterday morning. The relinquishment is due to the unfavourable ground, which in some places is an impassable quagmire. Nowhere did the enemy drive us out. The waterlogged condition of the country and the large number of snipers ensconced in trees and concrete redoubts at Passchendaele retarded our progress.

It is impossible to give an exact definition of our present line. Between Poclcappelle and Broodseinde some fortified farms cleared yesterday have been reoeeupied by the enemy, but on an average our nett advance is 2000 yards. The battle at Poolcappellc will always be famous for the grit of the Laucashires, who in marching to the attack endured superhuman trials. At nightfall they crossed the Yscr Canal mid marched for miles over a country which was formless and featureless and lighted only by gunflashes. The night was pitch dark and the men stumbled on through the infinite tangles of sinister country, full of foul shell-holes. It was impossible to got food, drink, or rest, otherwise they would be too late for the battle. The troops marched thus for eleven hours, and arrived in time.

Despite their exhaustion they went over with tho rest and fought a great battle, winning their objectives and withstanding all eounter-atateks.