New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-26
Practically All of Bour.
lon Wood and Village
Firmly Held by
Byng's Troops
Position Changes
Hands 3 Times
French Launch New
Attack Near Verdun;
Take More Than
800 Prisoners

LONDON, Nov. 2J.-Practically all
of Bourbon village and Bourbon Wood
including the high ground within it.
dominating Cambrai, are in the hands
of the British, according to Haig's Of
fetal report tonight.
The British held the whole of the
village for a time, but yielded portions
Of it in the face of tremendous coun.
ter attacks. Before the last assault
the Germans had fought stubbornly.
three times driving the forces of Gen
eral Byng out of the town and the
northern part of the forest, and falling
back only in the face of smashing
mass attack. in which dsmounted cav
airy joined Scottish, English and Welsh
battalions in an irresistible bayonet
charge.
Reports from the front reveal that
there has been considerable traffic
southeastward from Cambra in the
last forty-eigbt hours. The suggestion
is made that the civil evacuation Of the
city may be under way.
The number OF prisoners taken since
the latest drive began is announced as
9,774, including ls2 officers.
The French also engaged in heavy
fighting last night and launched an at
tack in the Yerdun region that swept
them over the first and second German
defence lines, which had been fortified
by many deep dug-outs. More than 500
German prisoners have already been
counted. Petan's stroke Is un-
doubtedly an effort to take advantage
of the weakened enemy morale.
The British entered Bourbon village
in their first advance and occupied,
also, more Of Bourbon Wood. Friday
night the Germans, reinforced, counter
attacked fiercely, driving Byng's men
back foot by foot until the town and
wood were again in enemy hands.
British Renew Attack
Saturday morning the British re-
newed their attack on Bourbon wood,
and after hours Of hard struggling es-
tablished their lines OH the northern
edge Of the coveted position. About
dusk Saturday evening the Germans
again counter attacked, driving from
the northeast, and forcing the British
to retire. A few hours later the Brit
ish sailed forth once more, reentering
the village, sweeping through most OF
the wood and beating the enemy back
in sanguinary hand-to-hand fighting
It was in the final assault, resisted
obstinately BY the Teutons from house
TO house, that the English, Welsh and
Scottish battslions distinguished them
selves.
Bourbon village is about three miles
from Cambria, and the high ground IN
Bourbon Wood is considered the key po-
sition to Cambria. 1t is situated be-
tween the two main roads that ap-
proach the town like the sides OF
wedge and gives the British a perfect
approach TO that vital German base.
Though the etenemy has another partlsi
line TO the east Of Cambria, mis- whole
rupted by the loss of the town.
The Bourbon W ood battle ground is
difficult one. II comprises about 5000
acres. covered for the most part with a
thick underground. The attacking Brit
ish infantrymen were compelled to cut
through the brush and storm up the
slopes in the face Of a withering ma
chine gun FIRE from the defending lines
above them. Yet they occupied the
high ground twice, the reports indicate.
before the position was finally made
secure. each time being forced to fall
back. reform their lines, then charge
forward again into the hail of rife and
machine gun bullets.
Defence Desperate
The enemy spared no effort TO save
the position, as the repeated counter
attacks prove The fighting in the
whole sector is at such close range that
artillery is playing only minor part
comparcd with the battles OF Pas
schaadaele and A.ras and Nimy. After
many months Of fighting at long range
the rival armies are now fighting in the
open, with field artillery, machine guns,
rifles, bombs and bayonets.
Observers here believe that slowly
and steadily the tide Of victory is flow.
ing in favor Of the British troops, and
that the fury of the German counter
attacks indicate the General staff OF the
enemy thoroughly realizes it. The loss
of Cambria, with its railroads and high
ways leading in all directions, would be
a hard blow for Hindenburg. General
Byng has centred practically all his
efforts during the last few days in
making the Bourbon Wood position Sc
cure. for il is practically the gateway
TO Cambria.
Further fighting is expected in that
reighborhood. for, from the British
statement. the Germans still hold q
section of the wood, and are not likely
to retreat withou, more of the desper-
ate fighting that has characterized the
past few DAYS. The enemy forces are
still in possession Of the northeasterly
corner Of the wood.
A direct attack on Cambrsi Is now
expected. though the War ofhcs stAl..