The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-11-26
Airplanes Fly Within Fifty
Feet Of Ground Work
ing Machine Guns
ENTIRE BATTLE
FOUGHT IN OPEN
Even Nightfall Fails To
Bring Usual Cessation
Of Fighting
(Rv Associated Preas.l

British Army Headquarters In
France, Sunday, Nov. 25.-Thts
morning found the line OF battle Of
the weary but determined British
troops stretched in a semi-circle
about Bourbon wood and Bourbon viii
Iage which nestles at the northwest
ern edge OF the forest. IL Was line
which had been established In the
face Of dogged resistance on the part
of the Germans who had fallen back
step by step, fighting with the fury
OF despair.
All day yesterday the opposing
forces struggled bitterly at close
quarters for possession OF the little
village from which the British were
forced Friday after gaining a footing
In the rush that took them through
Bourbon wood. Nightfall still found
waves Of infantry surging back ana
forth through the streets OF the ham,
let and among the houses, their
crimson bayonets telling the story OF
the terrible conflict being wagcd.
Gradually the Germans fell back, the
British pressing forward with grim
persistence which the enemy could
not Withstand and the hamlet was
finally cleared of the major portion
of the German troops.
Today some few of the enemy still
remained in Bourbon TO be mopped
up, but all the main streets Of the
place had been cleared and II was
surrounded by a strong force OF Brit
ish soldiers.
Another Intense Struggle
A little TO the southwest Of here
another intense struggle was being
staged in the village Of Moeuvres In
TO which the British had battled their
way with rife and bayonet and push
ed the Germans out OF the southern
half. Elsewhere along the Cambria
front there was no infantry action Of
importance.
Prisoners continue to arrive at the
British cages from the front. Nearly
10000 captives thus far have been
counted, including 200 officers.
In the capture of Bourbon wood
and village the British have acquired
possession of one Of the most imports
ant points they have secured since
the great drive began last Tuesday.
This high ground controls a wide
sweep of territory and it's occupation
holds out the possibility that the
Germans eventually will be forced to
withdraw their lines to the north
west.
overIooks Cambria.
The Bourbon position also over
looks Cambria but this city might be
q hard nut TO crack because the CEN
tral part Is walled and many suburbs
radiate from it. forming natural bar
riers against an advance from the
west. Ii seems possible that Cambrai
might ultimately become a sort Of
No Mans Land, dominated by the big
guns OF both sides. and that this
ancient town with It's fire old Cath
edraI and picturesque walls would SO
the way OF SO many other places
which come under artillery fire.
Al large amount OF traffic In the
last few days has been pouring out
OF Cambrai toward the southeast, i'm
dicating the probability that the Ger
mans have evacuated the civilian
population and are preparing for
eventualities
That the Germans attached great
est Importance to Bourbon wood and
the village was fully evidenced by
their strenuous resistance and the
intense counter attacks hurled
against the British lines. Several
counter thrusts were delivered by the
enemy Saturday. Some Of them suc-
ceeded temporarily but the British
Immediately pushed forward again
and regained the lost ground.
Tanks and Airmen.
The lighting over the wooded slopes
Of this elevation has been among the
most spectacular Of the war. for the
Of the forest was due
largely to the work Of tank and aiE
men who paved the way for the on