BITTER REARGUARD ACTIONS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11633, 7 September 1918, Page 8

BITTER REARGUARD ACTIONS.

enemy driven from vital POSITIONS. GERMAN HORROR OF FIGHTING. PAGEANTRY OF VICTORY. Received September 7, 12 .7 p.ra. , London, September 0. Mr Phillip Gibbs states that the enemy is fighting a bitter rearguard action at machine gun range, but is forced to give ground everywhere, ’ihe vital sector is still the country south of the Sensee River "below Douai, and west of Gambrai, w here we have followed up the breach in the Drocourt line. The Germans were ordered to hold the lino of the Tortille river and the crossings of the Canal Du Nord at all costs, the English and Welsh battalions; with the greatest gallantry threw bridges across under heavy fire and gained the other side. In all the villages, north of Peronne, the German garrisons are lighting desperately *to gain time for the retreat of the main forces. They receive stronger support from their artillery than hitherto, some guns coming close to onr lines in order to destroy approaching tanks which are having a demoralising effect upon tire German troops. The poor devils of German infantry are having a tragic time They are left week after week in the line until only thin remanents remain, and they are never free of fear of our tanks. Their chief hope is that they will be captured. Letters from home, found on prisoners show a general horror at further ing. The strain of war has been too long, and the enormous failure of the offensive has broken the spirit of many units. But we are not fighting cowards or whimperers. Machine gunners, especially, take a lot of beating. Our men, however, are going forward with gladness and exultation. It is an astonishing pageant to see hundreds of thousands English, Scottish, Welsh. Canadians, Australians and New 'Zealanders all moving forward, and never stopping. New York September 6. The British have reached Templeaux de Josse, northeast of Peronne. The French have captured Petit Barisis, and the forest of Coucy.