Evening star., 1917-12-07
Retirement MAKES
BRITISH LINE STRONG
Several Villages to the West
of Cambria Given Up to
the Germans.
FOE CLAIMS MARCoING

| German wedges driven into the salient
before Cambria have compelled the
British to eyacuate exposed points, and
they have given up to the Germans sew
eral villages west Of Cambria. as well
as the Bourbon wood. The retirement
was carried out so well that the Ger
mans continued to shell the empty posi-
tions for several hours. not knowing
the British had left them.
The British line has been shortened
and made more capable of strong de-
fense by the retirement.
Berlin in its latest report claims the
occupation of Marcoing, about four
miles southwest of Cambria. Minor
German attacks south of Bourbon wood
and near La Eacquerie have been re-
pulsed by the British.
By the Associated Press.
LONDON December Last nights
report from Field Marshal Haig's head
quarters says:
Local fighting has taken place again
today in the neighborhood OF La Vac
auerie without any change in the sit
uation. In the area south OF Bourbon
wood minor hostile attacks were re-
pulsed with severe loss to the enemy
from the fire OF our artillery and in
fantry.
The hostile infantry has been active
at a number of points south of the
Scarpe and also in the neighborhood OF
Armentieres."
Report Of Withdrawal.
The text of last nights statement
reads:
"On the night of Tuesday our troops
holding the salient formed by our posi-
tions in the neighhorhood OF Moyeiles-
sur-fEscaut sand Bourbon wood were
withdrawn a short distance to posi-
ton southwest of these localities. Ine
withdrawal was made successfully with
out Interference from the enemy, who
until a late hour yesterday appeared not
to be aware of the movement.
Prior to the withdrawal the enemy's
field works in the abandoned area were
systematically destroyed
Further hostile attacks yesterday
evening in the neighborhood of La vac
querie were repulsed. Local fighting con-
tinued in this locality during the night
Southwest of the village our line has
been advanced slightly"
Great Activity in Air.
The British official communication is
sued last evening, dealing with avia-
tion says:
There was great activity in the air
by both sides Wednesday. Our air
planes carried out a great deal of work
with our artillery, as well as several
long-distance reconnoisances. and took
many photographs in the enemy's back
areas.
by day bombs were dropped and
many rounds were fired from machine
guns on various ground targets. Dur
ing Wednesday night central air
drome was successfully bombed and
two direct hits were obtained with
heavy bombs on the enemy's aeroplane
sheds. Other bombs burst among build-
ings around the airdrome. In addition
bombs were dropped on the st. Denis
Western airdrome and the Donai rail-
way station. Fighting in the air took
place yesterday throughout the day.
Four hostile machines were. dowhed
and five others driven down out 81 COM
troL& One German machine was shot
down in our lines by anti-aircraft fire.
Five Of our machines are missing
Raid Into Germany.
To-day another successful raid was
carried out by our airplanes into Ger
many. All of our machines returned
safely. but no further details of the raid
have yet been received"
The Reuter- correspondent at British
headquarters in France sends the fol-
lowing:
Gen. Byng has realized Napoleon's
definition of a generals greatest quail
ity-To know when to retreat and do
1t.
I'VE have fallen back deliberately and
successfully upon well chosen line,
which rules out the salient made by
Bourbon wood, and should enable us to
maintain our hold upon the captured
length of the Hindenburg line against
any pressure.
Bombing Raids Continued.
British naval airplanes on wednes-
day and Thursday continued their
bombing raids on German military
works in Belgium. the British admir-
atty announced today. The text reads:
During Wednesday and Thursday
bombing raids were carried out by our
naval aircraft on the following objec-
tives: Utykerke airdrome, st. Denis
Westrem airdrome, Engel airdrome.
Bruges docks and various railway traf-
fc
Bombs were observed TO explode and
fire was caused among huts and sheds.
All our machines returned safely.
-In the course of the usual fighting
Of patrols two enemy aircraft were de-
stroyed Four more were shot down