SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14871, 20 September 1918, Page 5

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT.

A GALLANT

ADVANCE

ATTACK COMPLETELY FUL.

SUCCESS-

OUTER WOIIKS Oi* 1 .KINDENHURG

LINE CAPTURED

:(Australian and 2Z.Z. Cable Association and Renter.*

(Received Sept. 19, 11.30 p.m.) London, Sept. 19, 0.10 a.m. Sir .Douglas Haig reports :— Troops belonging to the Third and Fourth British Armies attacked with complete success at 5.20 this morning ■on a front of abo\:.t sixteen miles be- ' 'tween Holnon and Gousseaiicourt. .„ '

Our troops oh tho whole of this front advancing in heavy storms of rain, ea» tured the enemy' positions- by assault swept over the whole British trench system of March, 1918, and reached Juid captured the outer defences of the Ilmdenburg Line, in a wide- sector " English and Scottish troops on the right captured Fresnoy-le-Petit Berthaucourt, and Pontru, meeting .and overcoming strong resistance, particularly on the extreme right. In the right centre two Australian divisions captured Le Vergnier, Villaret, and Hargieotyt, and pushing forward with great, determination, they established themselves in tho" old advanced Gorman positions wost and south-west of Beliicourt, having penetrated the enemy's defences to a.depth of throe miles.

In the left centre the 74th Yeomanry Division and other divisions composed of. East Country and London troops captured Templeuxle-Gerard, Ronsay, Epehy,. and Peizeres, also penetrating to a great dopth northward^oWPeizeres. The 21st Division attacked over the northern portion of tho sector defended {by it so gallantly .-on March 21st and 22nd. Having captured its old front trenches with the strong point, Vaucellette Farm, and beaten off a, counter-attack, it pushed forward more than a mile beyond this line, capturing several hundred prisoners and a battery complete with the teams-. On the left English and Welsh troops earned- the remainder of tho high ground southward of Gouzeaueourt,' reaching the outskirts of Villers Guisj lain and capturing Gaueh. Wood.

' We captured over 6000 -prisoner^ and a number''of'guns- in tho courso. 6fthe.se successful operations.