THE BRITISH THRUST

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13643, 24 November 1917, Page 5

THE BRITISH THRUST

6ROUND LARGELY CONSOLIDATED GERMANS RE-CAPTURE FONTAINE SPLENDID TRANSPORTATION. SERVICE. LARGELY FACILITATES THE OPERATIONS. (Australian and N.Z. and Reuter.) Received November 24. 1.5. a.m. LONDON, Nov. 23. Sir Douglas Haig reports that Thursday was spent on the southern battlefront, consolidating the large area over which we advanced in the last two days. This was successfully carried out except at Fontaine Notre-Dame, which , the enemy retook 'by a' ; counter-attack. Much credit is due-to the transportation services for the rapid concentration in the recent-operations. Roads, railways—broad gauge and light—were developed and since the •advance they have been extended in, a manner which contributed largely to the success of the preparations and thei subsequent operation.

BTILL HEAVY FIGHTING. . DELIGHT OF THE FRENCH. THE MAN IN THE CELLAR. (Australian and N.Z. Caf)!e Assn.) •'Received November 24,10.15 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 23. Mr Phillip Gibbs states that the cavalry, infantry and tanks are still active in the break in the Hindenburg line. There was heavy fighting in the morning at Bourlon Wood and Fontaine Notredame. The French were enioyed at their release, and surrounded the tanks with the utmost astonishment. They say they have had no property or liberty since 1914. The Germans requisitioned everything, and the people were fed by the American Relief Committee. The Germans made the women wash the soldiers' dirty linen. One Frenchman had been hiding since 1914 in the cellar in his own house where the German officers were billeted. His wife fed him from the extra ration given. A baby was born during the war. The house was searched once a week, but the man was not discovered, otherwise both would have been shot. POSITION AT CAMBRAI UNCHANGED (Australian and N.Z. and Reuter.) Received Nov. 24, 10.35 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 23. Sir Douglas Haig reports that we slightly advanced our line south-east-ward of -Ypres , repulsed attempted raids north-eastward of Pontruet (north-westward of St. Quentin) and southward of Neuve Chapelle. The position is unchanged southwards of -

GERMAN RESISTANCE STIFFENING. RUSHING UP TROOPS. FROM ALL DIRECTIONS. THE BRITISH OPERATIONS. FALLING BACK IN PLACES. STREET FIGHTING IN CANTAINY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.Received Nov. 24, 11.35 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 23. The Germans are rushing up troops from all directions, and the resistance is stiffening at Cambrai. The British have consolidated some places and fallen back in others. They captured Tadpole Copse, westward of Moeuvres. Street fighting- is going on in Catainy. BRITISH COMMANDER PROMOTED. •Received Nov. 24, 11.35 a.m. 4 LONDON,, Nov. 23. Lleut.-Generaf Hon. Sir Julian H. G. Byng/who commands the Third British Army which broke the Hindenburg line, has been promoted to General. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) Received November 24, 1.45 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 23. A German official report states that the enemy yesterday .repeatedly, but fruitlessly, attacked Moeuvres. We retrieved his slight initial successes. After desperate hand-to-hand fighting around Fontaine we threw back the enemy and stormed Fontaine. We cleared La Folie Wood. English attacks against Rumilly, Bunteaux, and Venhville collapsed. Fresh fighting has been progressing since early morning on the southern edge of Moeuvres.