ENTRY INTO CAMBRAI

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13886, 11 October 1918, Page 5

ENTRY INTO CAMBRAI

HAND OF THE HUN VISIBLE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October 11, 10..'!0 a.m. LONDON', October 10. Mr Philip Oibbs says:—When we entered Oambrii we were surprised to lind so many houses and public buildings standing, but scattered lires burned and rumbling sounds of falling masonry in parts gave a warning of danger. II was known that the phc.e iiiiiiht In 1 mined ;;nd bomb-traps were probable. We saw a proclamation on a floor signed by Commandant Gloss, notifying the inhabitants early in Seplember to be prepared lo move eastward. and stating that they would only br allowed light bag§age. Some houses contained furniture, but among numerous mansions tattered tapestries, torn books and pictures showed th« vandals' hand. The majority of the small houses contained merely wreckage. Some showed that the home life had suddenlyceased with the evacuation. Even tables were laid for meals. There is general evidence that the German looters had been rummaging the contents for spoils. The cathedral was not badly damaged. (Mr Gibbs' message was despatched before the explosions began.)

IN THE OPEN COUNTRY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October 11, 10.20 a.m. NKW YORK, October 10. The Anglo-American advance southeast of Cambrai has brought them into open country, with no barriers until Valenciennes is reached. EVACUATION MADE HURRIEDLY. GERMAN TANKS KNOCKED OUT. "WE'VE GOT FRITZ ON THE RUN." (Renter's Telegrams.) Received October 11, 11.10 a.m. LONDON. October 10. Reuter's correspondent at British headquarters, writing on Wednesday evening, says: Canadian patrol were the first to enter Cambrai town in the morning, when it was still burning at many points. The Canadians advanced warily through the town, and reached the eastern outskirts at sunrise, encountering a thin screen of machine-gunners. The evacuation was evidently decided ufion hurriedly, as considerable undamaged booty was captured. A few more German tanks appeared to-day, but they were soon put out of action, as our artillery was advancing so rapidly. They were knocked out almost as soon as they appeared, j The enemy has been hurriedly retreating all day. Everywhere could be heard the cry, "We've got Fritz on the run." Successive explosions occurred at Cambrai, reducing the town to ruins.

DESTRUCTION OF THE TOWN. BY FORMIDABLE INFERNAL MACHINES. (The Times.) Received October 11, 1 p.m. PARIS, October 10. Formidable infernal machines were used for blowing up the centre of Cambrai immediately after the retreat, the tfV.n hall and many monuments l>eing destroyed. Squads of British Pioneers unavaiiingly attempted to prevent the spread of the fires. BRITISH PRESSING ON. DESPITE INCREASING RESISTANCE. ADVANCED DETACHMENTS NEAR LE CATEAU.

(Australian, N.Z. and Router.) Received October il, 1.10 p.m. LONDON, October 10' Sir Douglas Haig continued the advance yesterday against gradually-in-creasing resistance. Early in the night our advanced detachments established themselves across the Gateau road, with in two miles of Le Gateau. Fighting is proceeding southward of the main road on both sides of Caudry, also eastward of Gambrai, where we progressed.