OVERNIGHT CABLES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12176, 27 November 1917, Page 2

OVERNIGHT CABLES

THE WESTERS FRONT.

THE CAMBRAI BATTLE

HEAVY FIGHTING AT BOURLON

BRITISH STILL HOLD WOOD AND HIGH GROUND.

NEARLY 10,000 PRISONERS

1. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, November 26. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—Severe fighting occurred to-day westward of Cambrai. The enemy at midday stronglv attacked in the neighbourhood of Bourlon and pressed us back from portions of th P village. Our positions in Bourlon Wood and on the high ground in the vicinity are intact. Fighting in the Hindenburg support line westward of Mceuvres yielded us prisoners. The total since Thursday is now 9774. including 182 officers Sir Douglas Hafg in an Order of the Dav warmly congratulates Sir Julian Bvng and his commanders and staffs on" the manner in which they prepared and carried through the operations. He al=o expresses his obligation to the staffs at general headquarters on the success with which they met the severe strain imposed by the arrangements for those operations m addition to the sudden movement of troons towards Ttaly. The operations fe on the Third Army front would in al>l probability have miscarried if the unemv had pained timely warning of our intentions. The most satisfactory feature to ,notc <-Jn connection wli'th these operations was _ the complete secrecy which was maintained. SUCCESSFUL FRENCH ATTACK. EIGHT HUNDRED PRISONERS. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, November 25. A French communique states: Reciprocal artillery lire proceeds north of Chemin des Damos and northwest of Rheims. Despite wind and ram storms, we attacked on a three and a half kilometres front east of the Mouse between Samogneux and the region south of Anglcmont Kami, and carried the first and second enemy lines, also deep dug-outs on the southern slopes of the Bois des Caures ravine. Eight hundred prisoners have so far been counted. THE FRENCH LINE. GERMANS REPORT NEW ATTACK. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, November 25. A wireless German official message states:—French attacks are in progress between Samogneux and Beaumont, east of the Meuse. TRIBUTES TO FIGHTERS. SPECIAL MENTION FOR TANKS. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Router. LONDON. November 26.

Sir Douglas tiaig in Urders of the Bay says that tho capture of the important Bourlon position crowns a most successiul operation and opens the way to further exploitation 01 ino advantages already gained. The manner in which the Third Army adapted themselves to no v.' conditions was in all respects admirable, and the results gained have, far-reaching importance. The tanks for the first tiime Had been afforded an opportunity of working in large numbers,' showing special value under suitable conditions. Without, them the complete surprise gained would not have been possible. Their performances entirely justified the trust placed in them. Sir Douglas Haig pays a tribute to the splendid services of all arms in tho field, especially the co-operation of the "•vvalrv.