1918-09-05 — Page 5

Page

"

THE WAR.

BRITISH

1

THE

AGAIN OCCUPY LENS

GREATEST BATTLE OF THE WAR IN PROGRESS.

INCOMPARABLE VALOUR OF BRITISH TROOPS.

BATTLE RAGING ON FRENCH FRONT AMERICANS BOMBARDING" GERMAN POSITIONS.

Franco-Belgian Front

LATEST CABLES.

BRITISH FRONT.

CANADIANS OVERCOME FORMID-

LENS OCCUPIED.

LowDox, September 3rd.

2.05 p.11.

A MEMORABLE VICTORY.

ARLE OBSTACLE.

་ ༔

LONDON, September 3rd,

2.30 p.m.

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5ra. 1918.

"thir low-tiers all day bombed and machine-gunned the retreating enemy, causing heavy casualties and confusion.

We heavily boubed bridges and railway connections in the enemy back areas.

We destroyed eight aeroplanes and drove down four ancontrollable, and we

Dury was captured, and some of the heaviest âghting occurred on Mont Dury the slopes of which were honeycombed with defences. à denay mass of Germans was seen debouching from the sunken road near by. Our batteries opened out, indicting terrible losses.

Our own men were at many places ext fire to six balloons, Eight British posed to a terribly severe fire.

actoplanes are missing.

The

enemy seems to be organising resist. ance in echelon at a great depth,

INCOMPARABLE HOME AND

CANADIAN BATTALIONS.

Ou: night-fiers heavily attacked an aerodrome at St Quentia. Direct hits were observed. One night-flier did not return.

On the switch-line, the trenches are in, We dropped over 34 tons og anti-mir- the best condition, with pleaty of shell-craft guns on Friday, and brought down proof shelters. To the rear of the switch-a German' night-tomber.

line there are many little woods which THE BRITISH LINE IN FLANDERS are bound to be full of machine-guns.

Lexpos, September 2nd. The British forces have occupied Lens. very young, most dejected and hungry.

A great proportion of the prisoners are

8.46 p.m... Reuter's Agency learns that the line in A pause of three hours followed the Flanders runs Irora Voormeteele "imme- LONDON, September 2nd.

attainment of our first objectives, then diately west 11.00 p.m.

to Wulverghem, through the incomparable Home and Canadian Neave Eglise und Sternwerek to cast of Reuter's Correspondient At British

battalions resumed the attack. Never Estaires and La Couture.. Field-Marshal Sir. Douglas Haig re- | Headquarters, telegraphing this

even-have our own men fought more superbly, porta-Monday's operations south of the ing.

states: The British attack this and as a Canadian oficer said, We went Scarpe were completely successful.

morning was conducted by General

fast; bat the English went faster." The enemy was beavily defeated in pre- Horne's and heneral Byng's armies on a

The rain has cleared off. pared defences on the Drocourt-Queant front south of the Scarpe to nearly as

BITTER FIGHTING CONTINUES, system, with the result that he is retiring [ far as Queant. This is one of the greatest this morning along practically the whole

Loxney, September 3rd

5.40 p.m

of the hattle front.

In Monday's battle, besides inflicting heavy losses, we captured about 10,000

prisoners..

Our troops are now advancing, and it is reported we have entered Pronville, Doignies and Bertincourt.

The Canadian's showed the greatest skill and courage on Monday by storming the Drocourt-Qucant lines, which had been perfected during the past 18 months, and provided u most formidable obstacle furnished with every device of modern engineering. The defences here were re inforced to such a degree that on a front of 8.000 yards German divisions were identified.

די

battles, and there is every reason to hope that it will prove one of the most memor- able victories of the war.

The attack was launched at 5.40, after

Reuter's Correspondent at British Headquarters, túlegraphing on Tuesday morning, states:-Beyond the Droucourt

a short but intense bumbardment, whichQueant line our artillery are already was effectual in cutting the wire, and beginning to enfilade the enemy trenches by 7.30 uur troope had broken, apparent that tail away to the east from the bend` ly, right through the famous Drocourt -- Quenat switch-line, with its fortiñed system 2,000 yards deep.

We smashed through nearly everywhere along the front of the attack.

Two hours later it was rumoured that groups of our motor machine.gunners were seen upon the bank of the Canal-du: ord, which is nearly five miles to the east of the nearest point of the switch-line. Undeterred by the strength of the de These, of course, "wers only highly mobile patrols, pushing out to try and seize the bridgeheads and destroy the communica tions, hat if they got so far it proves the success of the opening attack.

fensive organisation the Canadians, assisted admirably by the English troops on their left, carried all before them.

To the "south of the Canadian "Corps | f English, Secttish and Naval troops TERRIFIC BATTLE IN PROGEESS, of the Seventeenth Corps, under the com-

Our success may be summed up by mand of Lieut-General Sir Charles saying that we struck the enemy one of Fergusson, performed a no less gallant the most mashing and strategically and arduous task in storming the junc. serious blows he has yet received in any tion of the Drocourt-Queant and Hin-one day's fighting.

denburg systems. These were of the most formidable character, but the troops swept over and around them, encircling

Queant from the north.

The result was that this important pivot fell into our hands at nightfall.

The Tank Corps again assisted materi- lly towards the success of the operations. PLACES. IN BRITISH QCCUPATION.

LONDON, September 3rd.

2.15 p.. The British this morning advanced to a maximum depth of four miles on a front of 20 miles and occupied Queant, reached west of Buissv, and occupied Bronville, whenee the line runs west of "Boursics through Doignies, which the British hold, then through Bertincourt and Rocquigny.

The Germans, apparently, are retiring to a new switch-line six miles behind the present one.

The British occupied Walverghein Flanders

The enemy made and is still making every effort to check our advance.

The Germans had eight Divisions standing in readiness to meet the blow,

German prisoners, to the number of thousands, are coming in in sbonls, in- cluding Staff Officer and "several battalion ronimanders,

We are now not only working behind the Hindenburg Line, but we have gaiped ground which commands long stretch

of the Line.

The battle is still in terrific progress.

ENEMY ON THE QUI VIVE.

LONDON, September 2nd.".

.11.10 p.m.

at Queant."

가

Bitter fighting continued after dark and was raumed this morning.

So far the Germans have not attempted by organised counter-attacks to recover

in too great confusion. Their resistance the switch-line, probably because they are

is mainly confined to trying to stand at most favourable defensive points,

EARLIER CABLES. ENGLISH AND CANADIAN TROOPS CARRY POWERFUL LINE.

LONDOS, September 2nd.",

4.40 p.m.. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re ports: -English and Canadian troops, accompanied by tanks, attacked astride the Arras-Cambrai road and carried on a wide frost that portion of the powerful Drecourt-Queant line which lies south of the river Scarpe

#

The enemy strongly held trenches and determinedly resisted our advance. This resistance was broken on the whole front, with great enemy losses.

The Canadians captured Dury, Villers- lez-Lagnicourt and Cagnicourt, and are progressing beyond those places.

On the Canadians' left the English fought their way forward north-cast of Eterpigny.

English and Scottish troops on the right of the attack advanced beyond Reincourt-lez-Cagnicourt in the direction of Queant and captured many strongly fortified positions, including Moreuil.

In the south we progressed, and in the early afternoon we repulsed a beavy coun. That the enemy was on the qui rire is ter-attack launched in great strength shown by the fact that his barrage came castward of Vaulx-Vraucourt our bombardment. It was very heavy, but, down within a minute of the opening of ENGLISH TROOPS CAPTURE LE

TRANSLOY. was badly directed, and caused great English troops reached the outskirts of damage among his own met. As our Beügy and captured Villers

#D Flos. Jeading waves" broke forward many Ger. All day there was sharp fighting about They found Leas evacuated by the Gerwith their hands up.

mans sprang up and came running over Lo Trausloy, where we repulsed counter

Outposts and attacks, and English troops captured the front-line trenches were cleared with the village. It is confirmed that at least 10,000 smallest resistance. A number of tanks

Between Saillisel and Peronne English prisoners were captured yesterday, but started with the infantry, but appear to and Australian troops drove the chemy many are not yet counted.

have gone much faster than the troops, from St. Pierre Vaast Wood and captured Contrary to expectation the enemy is and frequently were seen engaged along Allaines and Haute-Allaines. not reacting heavily with a view of reway ahead. That the enemy counted. The Australians drove off, with heavy capturing the Drocourt-Queant line, and upon the presence of the tanks is shown enemy loss, repeated counter-attacks east

new switch-line runs from Brebiere by the extent of his anti-tank prepara and south-east of Peronne. southward to Moeuvres, joining the tions. These, however, did not check Hindenburg Line in the neighbourhood of the tacks' victorious career. Graincourt. This line is nothing like as strong as the Dracourt-Queant line. It is too close to Cambrai and Douai to be.

mads.

BRITISH BATTERIES INFLICT!

-TERRIBLE LOSSES,

We captured several thousand prisoners during the day,

Our patrols made progress in the west- ern outskirts of Leps

Dar airmen are hampered by bad. We continue to gain ground and are comfortable for the Germans, and it is visibility. Nevertheless, it is reported in close contact with the enemy on the #doubtful if the Germans, will be able to that German batteries are limbering up Lys front.

use those towns extensively for transport and trotting to the wax.

purposes.

BRITISH TAKE 10,000 PRISONERS.

PAR18, Beptember ård.

A semi-official report states that the 110,000 prisopers:

British preterday captured no fewer than

By 11.30 we had reached Cagnicourt,

AERIAL OPERATIONS.

In improved weather on September 1st,

The Time's says: In the recent not- able feats of the Dominions troops the Canadians have won imperishable fame."

5

AMERICANS CAPTURE HEIGHT.

Losny, September 3rd. 3.15.1.

An American communiqué statos:—We

The Daily Telegraph says:-" The fight is the most inspiring message yet readvanced north of the Aisne, despite ceived".

strong resistance, and tonk the height aề Teraysony,

The Daily News says: The Cana dians have shattered the German legend.

The Daily Mail says: "The nation is filled with pride at the marvellous Bri- tish Dominions' Army."'

The Daily Espress says: "It is puerile for the Germans now to pretend they are merely retiring according to plan"

LATEST CABLES..

FRENCH FRONT.

ARTILLERY FIRING..

On September 1st prisoners, two guns, and 79 machine-guns.

We captured 579

GERMAN REPORT.

LONDON, September 3rd.

1.00 ..

A wireless therman official report states: The French attacked this after toon between the Oise and the Aisne,

NEW ENEMY RETREAT.

PREDICTED.

PARIS, September 2nd. PARIS, September 3rd.

A: Havas, message says:-On the French A communiqué states:-There was artil

front a situation is rapidly being created, ery firing at night-time on the Somme

the important consequences of which will and between the Oise and the Aisne,

soon appear. General Ludendorff by his Enemy raids in the region, of the Vesicevacuating even unattacked places. This retreat is rendering troops available by

.

The German retirement is continuing. and in the Vosges were without result. Considerable progress was achieved ea There was nothing elsewhere, the whole of the 23 mile front from the GREAT FIGHT IN PROGRESS. Scarpe to the Somme.

LONDON, September 3rd: The Drocourt-Queant witch-line is

3.90 p.m. definitely smashed in on a front of six Reuter's Correspondent at American miles. We penetrated it from the western Headquarters, telegraphing on Monday edge of Etaing to the western edge of night, states: A great fight was pro- Cagnicourt, thence approaching Queant.gressing ull day north and north-east of in the south enemy reactions drove us We were still advancing this afternoon.

out of Bois-de-Vaulx.

Soissons,

The enemy is vigorously defending the We captured Le Transloy and are ad Laon railway, also the line to the right Pontrouge Plateau, east of the Soissons vancing upon Rocquigny.

We captured the Government Farm, due ease of St. Pierre Vaast, also St. Pierre Yaast. Wood, and there is fighting in the villages Moislains and Allains, north-east of Peronne.

between the Scarpe and the Somme.

The enemy is heavily counter-attacking

Sesen enemý divisions were located un a seven-mile sector. They are all of good | material, judging by the prisoners, who

are very numerous

It was the Canadians who broke in the Droconrt-Quennt switch-line.

GERMAN REPORT,›

Lavooy, September 3rd,

1.00 ..

•J

along the north bank of the Aisne,

"

We are bombarding his position from the south and west.

The villages which the enemy hold are burning "like vast torches, and ares are spreading through the neighbouring

woods.

The enemy drenched mar position at mid-day with gas, but a retaliation barrage silenced his guns.

GERMANS. CLING DESPERATELY TO SOMME BANK.

LONDON, September 3rd. 12.23 n.m. Reuter's Correspondent: at French Headquarters, telegraphing yesterday

A wireless German official report afternoon, states:-There was hard fight- states: The English gained grounding all night between.Neale and the south-east of Arina and south of (Somme, where the Germans are clinging Peronné

desperately to the river bank.

French attempts to cross the river tear Voyennes under Hill 77 were met by very heavy barrages.

די

EARLIER CABLES,

• FRENCH CAPTURE LEUILLY.

PARIS, September 3rd.

REVIEW OF THE BATTLE.

LONDON, September 3rd.

5.10 a.20. Coming, close upon the heels of the Aus- We hold the road Rouy-le-Grand to Hill tráliáns victory at Peronne, the English 77, round which height the battle is and Canadian feat of smashing the raging. hitherto impregnable Hindenburg. Line has aroused the "greatest satisfaction. Experts express the opinion that perhaps, the most shattering blow in the war will be launched with dramatic swiftness at a point so far considered as the strongest part of the line, which is here composed of a multiplex system of trenches wide as streets, jungles of barbed wire, and numberless nests of machine-guns. If Yesterday's success is maintained and followed up Cambrai will be threatened, justifying speculation upon the fate of Douai, 8t. Quentin and La Fere, and possibly a great withdrawal to the Meuse.

based.

The Germans, naturally, will move) beaver and earth to stem the English and Canadian torrent, as a widening of the breach will mean the swamping of the German plans, upon which all their strategy and hopes have hitherto been

van Below, is at present opposing Gen The German Soventeenth Army, under

material has been thrown into the field. eral-Horne-Every scrap of available

divisions are

bunched together indis- criminately, and tired infantry and dis- mounted cavalry and clerks and other non- combatants have already been identified among the mass of prisoners. Parts of this atmy seen already to have been over- ruas prisoners are reported to have

u

been captured at Buisy, near the great

German railroad to Marquein.

PRESS TRIBUTE TO DOMINIONS'.

PH TROOPS.

A communique states:-Our troops who crossed the Canal du Nord yesterday near

Neslo advanced

eust uf the Canal and gained a footing on the western slopes of Hill 19, between the Ailette and the Aime.

will break up his defence and inevitably force a new retreat

The widening of the Peronne-Noyan, and Ailette bridgeheads is assuming & dangerous nature for the German posi tions on the water line of Arras, Soisson and Rheims

The following figures show the import- ance of the results: From July 15th tilt August 31st, the Allies captured 128,300 prisoners, including 2,674 officers, 2,060 guns, 1,734 minemicerfer, 13,783 machine- guns, and considerable quantities of am- munition and supplies of all sorts.

THE TRUTH LEAKING OUT IN GERMANY.

AMSTERDAM, September 3rd. The Frankfurter Zeitung admits that the people of Germany are beginning more and more to perceive that the war can- not be ended by arma alone, and that, Count Hertling no longer cherishes illu sions of peace by victory.

Russian Front.

ז'

LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH BEUTER'S AGENCY.]

ALLIED TROOPS CAPTURE A POSITION.

LowDos, September 3rd.

3.30 p.m.

A British North Russia official report states: The Allies, including Russian troops, on August 31st, captured a posi- tion north of Obezerskaya, 75 miles south of Archange, and repulsed n counter- attack, with beavy losses."

We are pushing on towards Obezerskaya. Our armoured-train guns were effective in the fighting.

The Balkans,

very

EARLIER CABLEN. [THEOUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

OPERATIONS IN THE BALKANS

ENEMY SALIENT CAPTURED.

LONDON, September 2nd.. A British Salonika, official report states:We captured the salient north of Areraknob and west of the Vardar.

We continued to advance on the plateau. east of Crecy au Mont and Juvigny and" captured Leuilly and Ternysony, despite Aerial Activitea.. farious resistance, and also advanced north of Crouy.

'6.10 4.m.

EARLIER CABLES.. (THROUGH LEUTER'S AGENCY.]

ATTACK ON

AERODROME.

ENEMY

Many places behind the German lines were heavily bombed.

IMPORTANT FRENCH ADVANCE

Losos, September 3rd.

LONDON, September 3rd. headquarters, telegraphing last night, planes yesterday morning attacked the

Heuter's Correspondent at French

The Air Ministry reports: -Our aero- says:-General Maagin's advance between Bubl aerodrome. Very good results were

at Nortie and Bethancourt and also ad-zeroplane on the ground was destroyed. the Ailette and the Aisne is most in- obtained. Many direct hits were ob portant... It has reached the Ailette Canal served on the hangary and a hostile

It now passes the plateau of Ecthancourt, vanced a mile south of the Leuilly line.

north of the Crouy-Soissons-Maubeuge. road. The centre of the plateau has been cleared of the enemy.

Great fires were observed in the region of the Vaux Allion Valley, north of Lafaux, probably on enemy dumps.

The enemy is being gradually thrown hack on Chemin-des-darnes.

Tanks and aeroplanes were lost, pro- minent in the battle.

The enemy on General. Debeney's front continues to cling to positions, on the and we were attacking a great concentra- and despite opposition, our aeroplanes "All the papers unstintedly praise the Voyennes, the French at Hill 77 mecting Bomme between Epínancourt and tion of the enemy with machine-gun posts took over 1,000 photographs, effected many Dominion troops and declare that they with very heavy machine-gunning.

reconnaissances, and closely maintained have at last given the Kaiser abundant Vayendes our progress continues fowards contact with the advancing

5 troops.

in the Bois-de-Bouche, considerably east

ward of Cagnicourt.

cause for uneasiness

Oodey

Naval Activities.

EARLIER CABLES, {THROUGH EXUTEE'S AGENCY-}

SPAIN CONFISCATES GERMAN. STEAMER

Pare, Beptember 2nd.

A Havas message states:-In conse- quence of the recent torpedoing of a Spanish steamer, the Madrid Government has ordered the confiscation of one of the German vassels interned in a Spanish The Madrid papers applaud tho Ministerial determination:

де

port.

(Continued on Page 6)

נו