BRUGES, DOUAI AND ROUBAIX

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13893, 19 October 1918, Page 5

BRUGES, DOUAI AND ROUBAIX

EXTENSIVE GERMAN RETIREMENT BEGUN AUSTRIAN EVACUATION IN GOMPLIANGE WITH ALLIED CONDITIONS By Cable. — Press Association. —Copyright THE ALLIED DRIVE IN FLANDERS J LILLE CAPTURED BY GENERAL BIRDWOOD. (High Commissioner's Cable.) LONDON, October 18, 1 a.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports that Douai has been entered. General Birdwood captured Liile. ENEMY DISINCLINED TO GIVE BATTLE ON A BIG SCALE, SACRIFICING IDS REARGUARDS TO GAIN TIME FOR MAIN RETREAT. (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) Received October 18, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, October 17. Mr Philip Oibbs writes:—The. enemy, knowing that an inevitable withdrawal from western Belgium is imminent, is not inclined to give battle in Flanders on a big smile, but prefers to sacrifice his rearguards in order to gain time for his main retreat. The enemy is gradually finding himself in a far-flung loop of attack which, by the capture of the outskirts of Courtrai, farther encircles large manufacturing territory, including Lille, Tourcoing and Roubaix. Things should move quickly now. ROTTERDAM, October 17. The Germans in Brussels are manifesting great anxiety, and civilians are alreadv fleeing in such numbers that the Governor intervened to prevent a possible panic. He refused to grant facilities to remove furniture, and seized 20 van loads, which are now under guard. (Australian and New Zealand and Reuter.) Received October 18, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, October 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports that we made further progress south-westward Of Lille. STIRRING SCENES WHEN THE BRITISH ENTERED LILLE. STREETS CROWDED AND POPULATION HYSTERICAL WITH JOY. (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) Received October 18, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, October 17. There were stirring scenes at Lille, when the enemy quietly withdrew and the inhabitants thronged to the westward to meet the victorious British, who marched in with music. The streets were crowded, anil the population was hysterical with joy. RAPIDITY OF ADVANCE THREATENS EXTENSIVE RAILWAY SYSTEM. (Reuter's Telegrams.) • Received October 18, 7.30 p.m. PARIS, October 17. The rapidity of the advance in Belgium is engrossing attention. It is pointed out that the loss of Courtrai means the severance of the knot of railways radiating to Ostend, Ghent and Lille. It is expected that Bruges, where the enemy cannot much longer remain, will fall in a few days. It is officially announced that the Germans prior to the evacuation of a Belgian village, were throwing grenades in the cellars, where inoffensive inhabitants were awaiting their deliverance. AIR FORCE CONTINGENTS REPORT OSTEND CLEAR OF THE ENEMY. (Australian and New Zealand and Reuter.) Received October. 18, 10.55 p.m. LONDON. October 17. The Admiralty reports that air force contin§&BtsAsfttsehed to the Navy landed at Ostend this morning and reported,,}!..AljiUr Q{ the enemy. Admiral Keyes landed at Ostend during the afternoon: 1 "'" German official: We withdrew our front to a line'eastward of Thourout, Coolscamp, Ingelmunster and behind the Lys. BELGIANS CROSS THE RIVER AND ARE ADVANCING ON OSTEND. (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) Received Oclober 18, 10.30 p.m. LONDON, October 18. Belgians crossed the Yser near Nieuport, and are advancing on Ostend. The enemy will probably withdraw to a line running from Brussels and Namur to the right bank of the Meuse.