DETAILS OF THE ADVANCE

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

DETAILS OF THE ADVANCE

OVER CLEAN COUNTRY. UNDESTROYED VILLAGES OCCUPIED PRIESTS PLUCKY ACTION. SAVES HIS CHURCH. (Australian and N.Z. Cablp Assn.) Received October 12. 11.50 a.m. LONDON, October 11. Mr Philip Gibhs writes: —The earlier reports of the explosions and damage at Cambrai prove to be an exasperation. The fresh damage is not extensive. The British have now taken for the first time undestroyed villages, after traversing a ■iO-mile belt in which not a house remains intact. Beyond Villers fmlreaux we found clean country, with ploughed fields and smooth roads. The inhabitants, who were still in their shops and houses, try to give utterance to their inexpressible gratitude for deilverance. We found 500 civilians in Sevigny, though all the males between 1G and CO years had been deported. They told how the Gornnns stole everything valuable from the farms and houses., even curtains and linen. They killed the fowls, or fined the owners if fowls were not produce,] or there were not enoutrh eggs. The Germans requisitioned the milk, butter and vegetables, and even took the lard and fats from the International Relief Committee's stores. The Germans ordered the civilians to flee at the British approach, but the people took refuge in the cellars while the Germans looted their houses and smashed their furniture. A priest at Sevigny states that he saw bombs affixed to the church on Tuesday, but he crept out' at night and cut the wires, the church thus being saved.