Page

THE WAR.

BE

BREAKING THE HINDENBURG LINE EIGHT THOUSAND PRISONERS CAPTURED. TANKS CLEAR PASSAGE FOR INFANTRY.

FRENCH

RENEW ATTACK.

ALL OBJECTIVES SECURED.

Franco-Belgian Bront,

EARLIER CABLES. [TEROUAN BRUTER'S AGENOY.) HINDENBURG LINE ATTACKED TANKS OPEN A WAY FOR INFANTRY,

LONDON, November 21st... Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re- ports-Between St. Quentin and the Scarpe the Tanks broke through succes sire bolts of wire if a great depth and Strength,

On infantry followed and stormed the first defensive system of the Hindenburg Line.

The Tanks dud lufantry pressed on aud captured the Hindenburg support line, more than a mile beyond.

Despite the continuous rain, reinforce- ments of the enemy were hurried up to oppose the advance.

The enemy was driven out from a fur ther pories of villages and other fortified positions, and many additional prisoners, were taken.

The Tanks were again of great assist

`ance.

We progressed on the right in the direction of Crevecœur-sur-Lescourt.

We captured north-eastward of Mas nieres a double line of trenches on the east bank of the Canal-de-Lescaut, where there was sharp fighting, and where counter-attacks were driven off.

The village of Novelle de Lescaut, northward of Marcoing, was captured early in the morning.

Here also there was heavy fighting, and

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY NOVEMBER 23RD,

EARLIER CABLES,

LINE PENETRATED AT

NUMEROUS POINTS.

TONDON, November 21st Router's Correspondent at British Headquarters telegraphs Rarely

bins

there been a more dramatic stroke in the war than that deals the Germans in the latest offensive.

The great impregnable Hindenburg, Line has been penetrated at numerous pointe. It was primarily the Tanks that did it.

The Germans, apparently, had not suspected our intention to open so mud denly

LATEST CABLES:

EIGHT THOUSAND PRISONERS.

LONDON, November 22nd.

Field-Marsifat Sir Douglas, Haig re ports: Eight thousand prisoners hays. hean rounted, including 180 officers.

AERIAL OPERATIONS.

Loydon, November Erd-

Our aeroplanes attempted to work all ay, on Tuesday in conjunction with the Operations between St Quentin and the

carne.

Low clouds, mist, a strong westerly wind, drizzle and occasional rain throughout the day necessitated the pilots flying fifty feet from the ground.

817

Naval Activities,

LATEST CABLES.

[THEOUGE" REUTER'S AGENCY.]

OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF

HELIGOLAND BATTLE.

SİONDON,: Novémber: 21st The Admiralty announces the following details of Saturday's action in the Heligoland Bight:

DESPERATE STRUGGLE AT PIAVE

RIVER

LONDON, November 21st, An Italian semi-official report stater: There was furious fighting at Monte Monfenera all day on Monday. Two chemy“ divisione, of respectively twelve

and sixteen battalions, including the Prussian Guards, were engaged. The struggle for the possession of the Piave Crossinge, where the river enters the plain, has continued for five days.

In the battle of the Tomba-Monfenera

Towards cight o'clock we sighted four light cruisers, opa northerly course, accompanied by destroyers and mine

The latter sweeners or patrol-vessels. escaped north-eastward, but one was surik | Cornalla by our destroyers' gunfire. There were number of survivors, including the

The light cruisera, and destroyers

The following night the enemy return- turned towards Heligoland, and weed to the assault, supported by drumfire, pursued them through the minefields and the salient constantly changed running engagement ensued, under bands throughout the night and day.

The new scenes of activities is near the Even then at times they were quickly lieutenant, whom we rescued

Somme, and the attack, seemingly, was a complete surprise.

THE REWARD OF SECRECY Care was taken to secure the greatest

lost in the mist. Continual attempts to maintain contact with the advancing troops was rendered almost impossible by the weather.

triangle. after repeated repulses the cmy at dawn on the 18th inst. gained a footing in the Monfenera salient, but were dislodged."

Becrecy regarding the plans, Bearder thee enemy's batteries lorries, Bero heavy smoke screen, until we sighted four The Italians finally reconquered the posi

an

attack ordinary preparation for an

large scale, the fleet of Tanks had to be brought up close to the line, Every thing, apparently, was done without the smallest intimation reaching the enemy's

CLFS,

This vas a truly remarkable achieve mont, reffecting the greatest credit upon everybody concerned. One advantage of the sudden change of scene, apart from the olerment of surprise, was that in the region east of Bapaume the battle ground

dromes, transport, and railways, were bombed, and batteries and small groups: of infantry wero machine-gunned.

Valuable information was gained. Only five hostile machines were seen n

the battlefront, Eleven of ours were

lost owing to the mist and the excep tionally low height at which they were compelled to By

A GREAT SUCCESS In the House of Commons, Mr. BonaTËS

Law stated that Field-Marshal Sir. Douglas Haig's latest attack has undoubt

Several thousand prisoners and a counter-attacks were successfully repul is fit for the Tanks the soil not being etly been a very great success. (Cheers.)

number of gung were captured.

SECOND DEFENCE SYSTEM ·

CAPTURED

Following through the gaps made by the Tanks, the English, Scottish and Irish regiments swept over the outposts and stormed the first defensive system of the Hindenburg Line along the whole front. The Infantry and Tanky pressed on in accordance with the programme and captured the second system of defence over a mile beyond the known: Hinden-

sed.

SCOTTISH TROOPS IN THE VAN.

The Scottish troops, in the morning moving north-eastward from Flesquieres, captured the defensive lines south weat ward of Cautsing and the latter village, taking 500 prisoners. They continued to advance, and later established themselves upwards of five miles behind the former German front line.

much cut up by shell holes, for the enemy evacuated this area lest Spring without fighting, and we had never previously seriously attacked in this section,

LAZLIEK CABLES.

THE ENEMY SUKPRISED,

In the fight yesterday morning, the Third Army, under General Sir Julian Byng, delivered a number of attack, be twe St Quentin and the Scarpe river

O previous artillery fire, completely sur- The attacks were carried out without

The ground is well covered with thick grass, making excellent going either for the Tank or the men. Moreover, the enemy did not have anything like the concentration of guns in this sector 85 he has around Ypres and Passchendaele.

prising the onem

Our troops broke in the enemy's posi tions to a depth of between four and

The West Riding battalions, northward any factors; therefore, were in our five rules on a wide front.

of Anneux, engaged the enemy southward

and south-westward of Bouron Wood..

burg support-line. East County troops Ulsters, further west, crossed the Bapaume Cambrai road and entered

Moeuvres.

tok Bonavis - Wood and Latemu Wood after stiff fighting. English Rifle regi. Denis and Light Infantry captured.

Strong counter attacks on our new

Invour, if only the difficulty of maintain- secrecy could be overcome, so that

the enemy could not

stated, was secured,

|-- Several thousand prisoners and a num

her of Bins were captured

The operations are being continued.

battleships or battle cruisers,

Cur advanced forces broke off the

engagement and turned back to meet the |

supports outside the minefields. Owing to these we were compelled to keep to the line taken by the enemy. the area was too restricted for the up porting ships to manœuvre in...

Consequently

tion,

but as

as they were exposed and with out shelter from an infernal tombard-

ment they retired, leaving an advanced

group in occupation.

The desperate resistance continues An onery columa which attempted to break through to the left of Monfenera

The enemy did not follow us outside Monday morning was annihilated at the minefields.

the point of the bayonet.

LATEST CABLES.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

BELLIGERENTS TO BE OFFERED

AN ARMISTICE.!!

We scored a number of hits at a light | General,

cruiser which was ster to be on fire.

A heavy explosion occurred on another, and a third was dropping behind dan- aged. Their destruction was prevented *** by the presence of the nemy's large vessels and their proximity to Helgoland. Our damage was slight, and there were some casualties among officers and men in exposed positions.

GERMAN VERSION.

LONDON, November “1st,

A wireless Russian official statement contains-The All-Russian Congress of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates has

ordered the Council of the People's Coin. A wireless German officin report mireuries to assumer power and to offer states: Besides many small British all the belligerents an immediate armis ertisers and destroyers in the Bight cn tice for the purpose of opening pour- Saturday, six ships of the line, or battle parlera for a democratic peace

LONDON November 21 it

divisions again us This secrecy, ward in advance of the Infantry und

mass gune and large number of Tanks moved for cruisers, participated. The British Ar. These offers are to be made when the

broke through successive belts of German wire of great depth and strength,

NATURE OF THE ENEMY: DEFENCE LINE.

· Lavacqnerie, also the formidable defences positions in the neighbourhood of Bull here the extreme me, which was the

on the spur known as Welch Ridge Other Esgiish County troups stormed the village of Ribecourt and fought their way through Coutllet Wood

SUCCESSION OF GLORIOUS

CAPTURES.

The Highland Territorials crossed the Grand Ravine and entered Flesquieres, where fierce fighting occurred.

The West Riding Territorials captured Havrincourt, also the trench systems northward of the village,

court were defeated.

On the other hand, we had against

formidable defoners of the Hindenburg great barrier on which the enemy fell back when he retired last Spring. “

LATEST JABLES.

FRENCH FRONT.

GERMAN REPORT.

LONDON, November 2nd. states Strong French advances com

A wireless German official report menced this tfternoon from Craome to the Berry-au-bne front,

Council's power has bean firmly establish- miralty report refers only to light forces.ed in all the important districts through- The British advance was quickly effect has already been communicated to out the country. A draft message to this

opposed with adequate fores, causing the Allied Plenipotentiaries in Russia

Meanwhile, the Council has ordered the them to retire A mumber of hits Commander-in-Chief forthwith to offer

enemy ships and destroyers were obtain ed, and German aeroplanes bombarded

BRITISH PATROL VESSEL the largo warships.

4

TORPEDOED

The total guns captured has not yet

chemy has increased its strength been ascertained.

continuously since having made it indeed. into a triple cordon of three separate

·FIVE MILES BEHIND GERMAN

french systems__ The Germans believed they

hold up the armies, of the LINES.

world

of the central Along a large LONDON, November 22nd

portion is a great tonnel, with openings

LOYDON, Novembar 21st. In the House of Commons, Mr Bonar at frequent intervals which makes communique states:-West of

ave above

The Admiralty announce that a suð Law announced that 8,000 prisoners are unnecessary for troops to move

ground and keeps the garrison safe Laniette we attacked the German salient marina torpedoed a patrol-vessel in the now counted, including 180 officers.

from the heaviest ganfire. I believe much south of Juvincourt on a kilometre front Mediterranean on Sunday. Sof this tunnel is now ours. Each of the to an average depth of 400 metres.

three lines was protected with belts of

Four officers and fire men were killed. We atteined all our objectives, carry-

At one point we penetrated five miles behind the German lines.

Several moro villages have been rap

tured

GERMAN SALIENT ATTACKED

PARIS, November 2nd.

ecially stout wire in intricate pat- ing strong defence ones, and be- Italian Front.

ternis sill co-ordinated with machine guns, pasts and strong redenbts, so that

infantry could not approach apparently,

being swept Renine.thout

at

We captured 176

tween Lamiette and the Aispo a further 40 were captured.

The artillery, duc is lively in the whole of this region,

EARLIER CABLES.

VIOLENT ARTILLERY DUEL

LATEST CABLES.

(THROUGH REVIED'S AGENCY.]

ITALIAN-FRONT.

ITALIANS REFULSE THREE VIOLENT ATTACKSAM

communiqué reports that the artil-A wireless Italian offeinl report

de

leston, November 21. lery duel is somewhat violent in Belgium, states: There was intense artillery firing or the whole front yesterday 20 north of Chemin de Dames, and on the right of the Meuse.

Italian and British monitors are co-

on the coastal zone. rating on

repulsed three violent attacks nt Mount Pertica

ky The Ulster battalions, covering the ENEMY WASTING AMMUNITION latter's left flank, moved northward up

a considerable sector th

the Tanks fook PARIS, November 22nd.

care of that wire today, and the

infantry the west bunk of the Canal du Nord. Le Temps states that the British offen went through almost unscathed

Perhaps, the most interesting part of a front of 00 the attack occurred between the vicinity PARIS, November 21st. Later in the murning, we continued to sive, which extends on advance rapidly, and progressed at all kilometres, was launched at 6.30 this the main Hindenburg Line, and that of which was defended by

points.

morning. The scene was extraordinary, | Gonnellen. -The latter village was behind owing to the dense fog, which magnified our position. This is roughly, the aren between the big canals Du Nord and De the fantastic weirdness of the Tanks and | Lescant made them awe-inspiring to the enemy TANKS TRAMPLE DOWN TIERS OF

There were no enemy aeroplanes or balloons to be seen throughout the day, and consequently the enemy guns, ignorant of the whereabouts of the British batteries, fred into the air wildly, merely

English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh troops secured the crossings of the Canal and Neufwood.

The West Riding troops, from Havrin- court made remarkable progress eastward of the Canal du Nord and stormed the villages Grandcourt and Anneux. Co operating with the Ulsters westward of the Canal they carried the whole Ger man line northward to the Bapaume- Cambrai road,

wasting their ammunition.

GERMAN VERSION

LONDON November 21st.

A wireless German official report

WIREN

Bain, which had held off for a few days, came down lightly on the morning of the attack, which was launched without a preliminary bombardment. The gans

advanced. only started when the Tauks

Prisoners admit they were utterly sur

As a matter of fact, we caught.

The infantry actions were not

SEVERAL SUCCESSFUL RAIDS. PARIS, November 21st, A communujte statesWe carried out several

renewed successful raid, at night tims north and south of St Quentin. We brought back prisoners,

There is a violetit artillery struggle in the region of Chaume Word.

re relief of enemy troops which was Egupt going on in conrge of the ordinary routine.

With good ground beneath them, the Tanks walked up to the tiers of wire, trampling down the latter and raus THE ***** | the trenches with machine-gung until the

his dog onts

The West Lancashire Territorials states: The main English attacks, resistance ceased and the obey fled to

broke in the positions eastward of Epely The Irish Troops captured impurtant sections of the Hindenburg Line between Bullecurt and Fontaine-lez-Croisilles.

The number of prisoners and guns and

material cannot yet be estimated.

Fine, dull weather favoured the pre- parations, but it broke early yesterday with rain at night. It is now stormy,

LATEST CABLES.

DETAILS OF CAPTURED POSITIONS.

under the protection of armoured-care, strove to break through towards Cambrai They succeeded in capturing villages in the fighting zone, including Graincourt and Marcoing, als portions of perma-

nently established material,

Our reserves arrested the thrust in the rear positions.

OUR LOSSES UNPRECEDENTEDLY

LIGHT.

The main Hindenburg trenches had been made especially wade for the express they are still not wide enough. The purpose of frustrating the Tanks but Tanks rolled through or over over obstacle, and the losses in the infantry behind were almost unprecedentedly light AT LEAST 5,090 PRISONERS,

LATEST UABLES.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

PALESTINE CAMPAIGN.

ADDITIONAL SUCCESSES.

LONDON November 21st

at Monte Tombe and Moote

Mopfenera

GERMAN REPORT

LONDON, November 91ef A wireless German official report states that the situation on the Italian front is unchanged.

EARLIER CABLES

AN ENCOURAGING FEATURE.

LONDON, November 21st The progress of the great battle in the Italian moantaine is being watched mostanxiously since the enemy a A Palestine official report contains nounced the storming of Quero and The situation, northward of Jaffa is un-Maio Cornallar if the Austro changed.

Germans capture Mante Tomba, on

the enemy commanders an armistice for the purpose of place pourparlers, and to keep the Council informed telegraphi cally of the progress of the pourparlers, and to sign a preliminary act only after the Council approves -

The above zommuniqué is signed by

| Lenin, as President of the Council, Goacral Protzky, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and three others

|-- ILLEGAL DEMAND UPON STATE

BANK

· PETRUGILAD, November 21st., The Maximalists Commissioner, with the Commander of the Garrison, recom panied by troops and a band playing, marched to the State Bank and demand- ed ten million roubles.ATER

The Bank officials conferred with the Delegatos, the Town Council, and the Peasants Union, and it was unanimous- ly decided to refuse the demand.

Eventually, the Commander of the Garrison withdrew the troops and vint- ed the. Councit of Maximalist Commis-

was hit in accordance with the law, upo stonera, who decided that the demand

which the Commander apologised to the Bank officials,

GENERAL BRUSILOFF INJURED,

General Brusion was knocked down by a motor-lurry at Moscow, and had his leg broken.

FIGHTING NEAR INBORG

Fighting between the Red and White Guards near Interg has begun, the ra way is torn up

LAULIER CABLES.

PETROGRAD, November 20th. The troops advancing against the Maximalists remain at Luga, where apparently many were won over to tag Maximajuta

There is no further nows of Kaledin's force in the South

frince Yusupoff, who killed the no torious Haspur, lise been arrested in Petrograd for corresponding – with Kaledin.

nice the Maximalist Administration are still not working, refuting to recog the latter has warned them that they will

Commander-in-Chief at Moscow,

be the first to suffer in the coming famine. A private soldier has been appointe

The Territorial. ^ Infantry carried the sorthern slopes of which a terrific The majority of the Ministerial staffe Jerusalem, on Monday at the point will bring thera to the plain and may Kuryet-el-Emb, six miles westward of struggle is raging, a two miles descent the bayonet.

The Scottish troops occupied Beitlikia, cause the Italians to lose the whole of the mounted troops yesterday were in The enemy has not renewed his attempt

the Piave line, and also Venice milies north-westward of Jeruzalem. contact with the enemy four miles west to cross the lower Piave, concentrating The enemy did not advance beyond our

ward of Birth, on the Jerusalem-She his efforts in the mountains. tween the foremost lina between Fontaine-les-

In a later despatch Reuter's Correspon- chem road.

Upper Brenta and Pizze, where fighting deat at Headquarters reports. It is bor JAFFA INTACT

has been incessant since the

Lorpor, November 21st 7th inet. Croisilles and Riencourt.

There 19 again a dearth of news from lieved that at present

- An encouraging feature

the rally of Russia The attack southward of Vendbuille Prisoners were cantared at least 3,000

the Italians, not merely in resisting the stupendous attacks, b

bat in repeatedly and effectively counter attacking.

collapsed..

ENGLISH AGAIN ATTA

LURDUN, November 22nd. A wireless German official report Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig relates:The English since noon ports: Important progress was made again attacked with strong forces south to-day westward and south-westward of westward of Cambrai, Fighting com Cambrai

tinues

LATER

It has been raining hard for twenty- four hours. Nevertheless, the troops and Tanks are still pushing on. They ap parently, are around. Mawsing

and rede rating in the direction of Noyelles

LONDON November 1st Beuter's Correspondent at Egyptian Headquarters telegraphed on the 15th instWelcome beavy rains are falling

The

lutaation is, unchanged, towards the north east into the Judean mounted patrois advanced

- WHERE DANGER LIES.

ZARARIs, November 21st

DEARTH OF NEWS

DEMTEST CABLEN.

CREAM PROHIBITED.

LONDON, November 2nd.

A semi-official statement avers that the The Food Captroller has prohibited the

whul danger lies in the enemy puuring use of cream for inxury purposes he

have

It is difficult to me details, but this is certain, we have driven a wide wedge into the Hindenburg Line. –

the positions captured-whi monsly strong. There is

ате спор

dence every

maiding, is though, a- crtion" of "the | is employing all his reserves in this better-aluss Turks left before our arrival effor ken tikwazE.

I have just returned from a visit to siderable part of the population is re- and Piave and entering the plain: He 1918,

The town of Jaffa is intact, and a con- | down the upper courses of the Brenta turen December 8th, 1917 and April 30th

here that the enemy was

Continued on lage 6)

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