RAPID GERMAN RETREAT

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13887, 12 October 1918, Page 5

RAPID GERMAN RETREAT

FURTHER BIG WITHDRAWAL INDICATED FRESH 0 BOAT ACTIVITY SEVERAL VESSELS SUNK, MANY DROWNED By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright THE CAPTURE OF CAMBRAI BRITISH GARNERING FRUITS OF COMPLETE BUCCEBS. PRESSING ON THE HEELS OF THE RETREATING HUNS. THOUSANDS OF PRISONERS, MANY GUNS AND MUCH MATERIAL CAPTURED. THOUSANDS OF FRENCH CITIZENS RELEASED IN OCCUPIED TOWNS. PRISONERS INDICATE INEFFICIENCY OF MANY GERMAN DIVISIONS. EVIDENCE OF THE BEGINNING OF A BIG GERMAN RETREAT. Received October 11, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, October 10. This morning Mr Pirric Robinson writes:—Our success is complete, and we are garnering the fruits. The enemy is rapidly retreating on the Le Catcau line, and we are pressing on his heels. We reached the village of Bertry at noon to-dav, nine, miles from yesterday's starting point. Between here and Cambrai the enemy vainly attempted to stand on the railway. Elsewhere he is blowing up the railway and burning depots and stores. South of Bertrv we cut the line, destroying his hopes of a temporary stand, which is now impossible this side of Le Catcau. The enemy planned to retreat under our pressure, but we struck too rapidly, capturing thousands of prisoners, many guns and much material before his preparations were complete, and preventing the completion of his destructive programme, many villages falling into our hands intact, releasing thousands of French citizens. The Canadians and British entered Cambrai from the north and south at •'» a.m. Numbers of German soldiers who were in hiding did not attempt to fight. Yesterday's explosions reduced the town to ruins, and tires due to the explosions are still burning, but our troops are extinguishing them. Further mine explosions are possible. The enemy exploded canal bridges, but we crossed easily. Many civilians, who had remained in hiding in cellars, we:e besides themselves with delight, kissing and embracing anybody in khaki, and telling their experiences to any ,: stener. A priest says that last January the Germans deported 1000, including 400 women, magistrates, persons of substance and gentle families. The prisoners include a large number of stunted and wizened creatures. All arc aware of the proposed armistice, but are indifferent to the outcome, and are thankful to be out of it. The prisoners' appearance suggests that some divisions have been practically reduced to the point of inefficiency. Regiments and battalions have been universally reduced. Officers .who were captured hint that tin's is the beginning of a big German retreat. Our puns and airmen did splendidly. It was a magnificent spectacle to see our puns shelling the whole line and fleets of aeroplanes hovering incessantly overhead. The enemy artillery hardly gave any evidence of its existence. LOSS OF CAMBRAI UPSETS GERMANS' PLAN OF RETREAT. _____ ♦ BRITISH CAVALRY DEFINITELY IN ACTION. ANGLO-AMERICANS ROLLING THE BATTERED GERMANS BEFORE THEM (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) Received October 11, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, October yO. A United Press correspondent states that the Germans expected to spend a fortnight retiring towards Douai, and a fortnight reaching the Guise defence line on the Oise, but the loss of Cambrai upset their plan of gradual withdrawal. The British cavalry were definitely in action on Wednesday beyond Bertry, while our infantry were marching in fours through Bertry. This was one of the most remarkable sights since the Germans first overran the northern areas. To-day's reports show that the Anglo-Americans are still rolling the tattered Germans before them. The whole battlefield is aflame. Last night towns and farm houses, also quantities of stores, were destroyed. There is evidence that the mines under Cambrai were set with time fuses, and were intended to kill as many as possible. An explosion last night wrecked the centre of the city. The flashes were seen and the roar heard for miles. The centre had, however, already been thoroughly destroyed by the recent fires, 15 to 20 blocks being almost complete ruins. The bridges over the Escaut were blown up, and the British engineers are building temporary crossings. The Germans ordered the evacuation on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, midnight of Tuesday being the latest possible date. The cathedral and church of St. Herbert were used as observation posts. The cathedral tower suffered from shells, and looks ready to fall. Twenty fires were counted. In some cases where the windows were not broken the curtains behind wvre burning, indicating deliberate arson.

20,000 PRISONERS TAKEN ON THE CAMBRAI-ST. QUENTIN FRONT. (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) Received October li, 9.25 p.m. PARI?, October 10. The Allies have taken 20,000 prisoners on the Cambrai-St. Quentin front. RAPIDITY OF THE GERMAN WITHDRAWAL. ALLIED PATROLS SCARCELY ABLE TO KEEP IN TOUCH. REMARKABLE CONFUSION AMONG ENEMY'S TROOPS AND TRANSPORT. (Reuter's Telegrams.) Received October li, 9.25 p.m. LONDON, October 10. Router's correspondent at British headquarters, writing on Thursday, says:—The enemy's withdrawal between St. Quentin and Cambrai yesterday was so rapid that our patrols were scarcely able to maintain touch. Last night this swift retirement seemed to be continuing on our right, but machinegun resistance stiffened on the left. Airmen report remarkable confusion among the troops and transports moving eastward from Le Cateau. GERMANS RETIRE AT LE CATEAU TOWARDS NEW POSITIONS. (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) Received October 11, 9.25 p.m. LONDON, October 10. German official: In the face of strong infantry attacks in the direction of Le Cateau we retired, fighting step by step, towards new positions.