IN PICARDY AND ARTOIS

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13895, 22 October 1918, Page 5

IN PICARDY AND ARTOIS

SKILFULLY CONDUCTED RETREAT. FLANKS CAREFULLY COVERED. BY MASSED TROOPS. IMMINENT STRATEGIC POSSIBILITIES. • EVACUATED TOWNS HEAVILY BOMBED. (Reuter's Telegrams.) Received October 22, 1.35 a.m. LONDON. October 21. Renter's correspondent at British headquarters, writing on Sunday, says that the attack of the Ist and 3rd British Armies, north-cast of Le Cate.au, which was launched in wet weather over heavy, slippery ground, is progressing favourably. Fires broke out afresh in Douai yesterday, but were extinguished by the troops. German airmen arc heavily bombing the captured towns. The enemy is conducting the retreat skilfully. He has n™' ' covering troops athwart the flanks on certain routes by which the main forces are retiring. His resistance is strongest south of Douai. where the pressure of the three British armies, co-operating with the French, has imminent strategic possibilities. BRITISH ADVANCE OVER A MILE. DESPERATE ENEMY OPPOSITION. (Australia r*-* A * " Cablo Assn.) Received 0 •'• ■• •;:, i./,o a.m. LOAUON. October 21. The British have crossed the Selle along the whole line, and advanced an average depth of upwards of a mile. The enemy's opposition is desperate. FORWARD PUSH CONTINUED. OVER. .3000 PRISONERS. (Rich Commissioner's Cable.) LONDON, October 21, 1 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports that northwards of Le Cateau yesterday we took over 3000 prisoners; northwards of Denain we continued our forward push, making contact with the enemy, and approaching St ' , f i ]; np tnc Schelt, nor! 1 -. Tournai. HEAVY ALL-DAY FIGHTING. AG'ATNST STRONG RESISTANCE. GOOD WORK BY TANKS. ENGINEER'S RAPID CONSTRUCTION. FACILITATES ARTILLERY SUPPORT. (Australian. "" r '. and Renter.) LONDON ,October 22. Sir Douglas Hais reports that Sunday's prisoners northward of Le Cateau exceed 3000. The enemy's position along thp Selle were of great natural. Btrongth. and were held resohitelv. The English, Scottish ami Welsh Divisions launched an attack at 2 a.m. in most unfavourable weather. Continuous rain rendered the advance extremely difficult. The fighting was heavy all day. the enemy offering a strong resistance in the villages and about tbo raih.u.'.s. In overcoming this resistance gicat assistance was rendered at ce. ■>.;.' ; ; ints by tanks, which crossed the- flooded river at an early hour. As soon as the river had Iwcn secured a number of bridges were rapidly constructed under heavy fire from hostile artillery and machine-guns, enabling our guns to closely follow- the infantry and effectively support them at short ranee. Local operations cleared up certain points where the enemy was still resisting In the cvoninsr, and a counter-attack from the direction of Romcries was beaten off with heavy losses. Our advanced troops northward of Denain continue to advance in contact with the enemy, ad are nearing St. Amand and the line of the Scheldt northward-of Tournai.