The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-11-07

London, Nov THE town Of Pas.
schendaele, lying northeast of Ypres,
has been captured by the British
forces, according to the official COM
munication issued tonight.
Heavy Machine Gun Fine.
The main defenses of Passchendaele
consisted of a great number of ma
chine guns and a heavy barrage was
thrown against the Canadians as they
advanced along the crest of the ridge.
Three concrete redoubts on the South
ern side of the village poured vi
cious fire into their ranks, but there
was no pause in their steady advance.
Meetcheele Spur, just northwest of
Passchendaele, was also entirely be-
hind the Canadian lines. Contrary
to expectations, the overseas men got
through to their detectives with COM
paratively light opposition from the
defending infantry, although the en-
envy machine guns were very active
and the artillery poured heavy fire
against the advancing troops. The
Germans fed or surrendered at many
points when they came face to face
with the grimly determined Canadian
riflemen. 6E4 ..
Shortly before noon reports were
received from the airmen that the
enemy was concentrating, apparently
for the purpose of attempting to carry
out Won Hindenburg's order that, if
Passchendaele were lost, it should be
retaken at all costs. At the time Of
fling this dispatch no counter attacks
had actually been launched $3.50.
S Gain Of LOO Yards. s..
The Canadians moved forward at
dawn from line about two thousand
yards in length. At 7:15 the observ.
ers said that the Germans were she'll
ing Passchendaele, indicating that the
Canadians had got at least. that far.
Shortly afterward flares were sent up
from the advanced Canadian line an
nouncing that they had battled their
way to- their final marks. If held,
this represents gain of about 1,1OO
yards at the center.
Again the German losses were
heavy and considerable number of
prisoners already have reached the
cages.
In Passchendaele there were many
rooted among the ruins OF
which were Rapid fire squads and what
was left of the big church in the cen
trail square offered good positions
from which to operate machine guns
and rifles. The fire from the church
was especially heavy as the Canadians
entered the town from the south and
west. ,. a.3s
Germans Dispirited.
But the Germans apparently had no
spirit for hand to hand conflict and
fed or surrendered as the Canadians
swept up to the covers. Passchendaele
was quickly crossed and the Cana
dams pushed northward along the
crest of the ridge.
Il ATTACKED EARLY TODAY.
BY Associated Press.
British Front in Belgium, Nov. g.
The village of Passchendaele was at
tackled by the British early today
The attack, begun at dawn by the Ca
nadians, has not only taken some OF
the attacking force beyond Passchen-
daele, out onto the ridge to the north,
but on the Meetcheele Spur, a little
to the northwest, has carried them
along the high ground toward the Will
age of Mossel Market, where battle
5 was being waged. The ground on
these elevations was in fairly good
condition and satisfactory progress
was reported all along the narrow,
but vital front involved.
Meanwhile, the British to the south
again moved against Poldenhoek Cha
teau, where the conflict is still pro-
ceeding. :.
Important Point.
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg re-
Gently issued an order that Passchen.
daele must be held at all hazards, and