New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-25
f11 N. Assoc.stet Pressl


BRITISH ARMY HEADQUARTERS
IN FRANCE, Nov. 2l.-Heavy sighting
to the north in the region of Bulle-
court was under way to-day. The
main objective here was the famous
Tunnel trench, an underground forth
fcation of gres. strength, about 1000
yards long. The entire trench was
mined, as the British well knew. and
behind il the Germans had dug 1000
yards of support trench. Many con-
crete pill-boxes also reinforced the
trench defences.
For month the British had been
keepinp the Germans nervous by put
ting down smoke barrages and employ
ing gas. The enemy had become so &C
customed TO this that when the Brit
ish started furry of guniire at dawn
Tuesday the Germans thought it was
more of the same thing, and they were
caught unawares. The greatest dam
ger which the attackers faced was the
possibility Of the mines being blown
up, and they knew this must be avoid
cd. Accordingly they took along q
body of expert tunnelmen. BY GOOD
fortune they mastered the secret OF the
mines and cut the lead wires. ms
enabled the British infantry, which
swarmed into the trench. to prevent
the enemy from setting of the cxplo'
siyes.
A hot fight took place in the tunnel
MANY Germans battled with bayonets
20 the death and 400 enemy bodies
wore counted after the conflict. In
addition, more than 700 prisoners were
taken.
The main attack on the opening or
the offensive Tuesday was q long the
western bank OF the Canal du Nord.
which runs almost due north and
south from a point little west OF
Havrincourt. The main Hlndenburg
line trenches were built along this
waterway, and the British had to hght
their way up the big ditch.
The Obstetrics hurled themselves on
the Germans with such fury that the
latter were compelled to abandon the
hill a large number Of prisoners
we're captured here.
In the meantime German machine
guns on the eastern side OF the canal
we're giving much trouble. and as soon
as the high bank was captured BRITISH
engineers began building bridges over
the waterway in order to give a cross
ing TO the infantry, which then ad-
vanced northyard on both sides Of the
canal, with the main Cambria Bapaume
highway as their immediate objective
The Germans then were firing with
machine guns down across the cam
brai road. Hand-to-hand fighting oc-
Cured at positions below the road. but
the Germans finally were forced 70
withdraw. Dugouts lighted b. cleo
tricity were found in the chain OF de
fences along the highway. BY 6:lo
o'clock IN the evening the Irish troops
had crossed the Cambria Bapaumee
highway or both sides Of the canal
and taken stand south OF Moeuyress.
Wednesday morning the British
pushed forward. this time having the
support of a certain amount OF artll-
lery. Moeuvres was strongly held, but
the Irish stormed the defences ard
with the bayonet, for time, drove the
Germans out Of the village. In the
afternoon a German counter attack
was smashed BY machine-gun and rifle
fire. but later the German artillery
opened up and heavily shelled the
trenches held By the British south OF
Moeuvres.
Thursday morning the Irish were
holding most OF Moeuvres and the east
bank OF the canal. In the afternoon
the Germans delivered sudden coun.
ter attack, and. after hand o-hand
fighting through the streets and among
the houses, they forced the British TO
withdraw to the southern outskirts.
This morning the Irish again attacked
and at an early hour had worked their
way around toward the north.
In the Graincourt section, on the
right of the Irish. remarkable work
was done by cavalry on the first day.
The horsemen had swept forward and
captured Anneux by Tuesday evening.
This represented an advance Of abou,
1000 yards. which is said to be rec
crd for one day.