THE CORRESPONDENTS' DESPATCHES.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14860, 6 September 1918, Page 5

THE CORRESPONDENTS' DESPATCHES.

THE ARRAS - CAMBRAI ROAD

ENEMY IN HARD RETREAT.

MORE PANIC-STRICKEN THAN

EVER',

PRISONERS' TALES OF DEMORALI-

SATION,

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association^

London, Sept. 4

Mr Philip Gibbs writes:—The enemy are in hard retreat from a wide belt of

country north and south of the ArrasCambrai road, in a desperate hurry, lest their transport troops he encircled by our men. Beyond doubt the enemy are more panic-stricken than at any time in thei i -war, and at their wits' end to gather fresh reserves in time to make a stand [ before much more is lost. ji Instead, of the expected German ■ counter-attache our men made a steady ' forward movement throughout the ' night, despite rainstorms. The enemy yielded everywhere. The country in which we are adi vancing is desolate and monotonous, -I

-CABLE NEWS.

(Puehs 'Association'—-Copyright.!

without a high '■road,, .rivers, or valleys. Only rubbish heaps of brick mark the hamlets, and tangles of rested, wire, piles of abandoned shells, rifles, bombs, and other equipment characterise the plague-stricken land.

Cunningly and rapjdly the naval > machine-gunners worked their way forward; but when the infantry took their first objective a brigadier-general • visited the forward lines and satisfied ' himself -.that it was possible for the naval men to continue the advance slowly and cautiously until dawn, when the turning movement which captured Queant was Completed. The Germans in Queant fled, panicstricken, knowing that wo Avere behind their lines. The enemy got away most of their guns, but were forced to blow u,p some of their howitzers. The work of the British gunners in keeping pace* with the infantry was remarkable. They were able to shell the cross-roads outside Cambrai, makjing the highway a terror to tEe crowded German transport in retreat. Mr Percival Phillips writes:—General Home's victory on the Drocourt line and the Capture of 10,000 Germans had a surprising sequel. Without even the semblance of a counter-attack the .Germans are.retiring, chastened beyond belief, to a new line beyond the wide and dry moat of the great Nord Canal, six and a, half miles west of Cambrai. In places the retreat has become a race j between vanishing Germans and British patrols.' Our infantry advanced eight miles at some places, during the day, and are still pushing into empty hamlets far in 1

advance of the artillery. Eleven German divisions were reported in this sector, and there were many signs of an Impending counter-stroke of great magnitude, as we broke the Drocourt line. Then the German in-

fantry (suddenly slackened their efforts, and the night was strangely qujet.

It is significant that British aeroplanes wer© not fired upon until they were over the Nord Canal.

Many German prisoners taken by the naval units in the Pronville area were exhausted from lack of food. They had had no rations for four days, owing to the breakdown of communications.

Those captured further south complained . bitterly of hunger, and even stiff-necked cavalry officers swaggering into the cages in smart grey coats asked for food, and ate ravenously.

German artillerymen complained of lack of shells, and company command-

Hinden'bufg is attempting; a temporphones and cyclist services for inability to get orders carried out. In fact, the story of German disorganisation yesterday almost suggests deliberate abandonment of these broken divisions to their fatew

! The United Press correspondent reports :—The British have taken another 3000 prisoners. General Byng took 1946 prisoners and 22 field" guns on Tuesday.

Hendenburg is attempting .a. temporary stand on the Canal dv Nord. The Canadians are advancing on the west-

em Bank. The Germans arc about- to retire fi'om iWytsehaete and Messines ridges.