GERMAN DEFENCES OF UNEQUAL STRENGTH.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14545, 25 October 1917, Page 5

GERMAN DEFENCES OF UNEQUAL STRENGTH.

DIFFICULTIES AT HOUTHULST

FOREST,

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

(Received Oct. 24, 10.1C p.m.)

London, Oct. 23

?vlr Philip Gibbs reports that the fighting on the 22nd revealed / a curious inequality of strength and determination of the German defence. The Norfolk and Essex Regiments east of Poelcapelle found their chief difficulty from the machine gun barrage in the German rear.

The hea-Ty gunfire which the British had put over the ground for a week had made the area most unhealthj' for the Germans, who, had withdrawn many troops to safer lines, leaving only small outposts.

The hardest position to take was on the right, southwest of tho 'forest, which, despite all the gas it had been soaked in, was full of the 26th Reserve Division, under stern orders 'to defend it to the death.

There were many concrete emplacements in the forest, and blockhousee along the Staden; railway.