South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-27

one very favorable to the allied
armies.
THE success of the British often
sive in the region of Cambria and
the steady resistance of the Italians
in the face of repeated attacks of
the stro-German forces are two
factors which may be considered as
corelative elements Of one and the
same movement.
Hope OF the Germans.
1t is evident that the enemy took
the offensive in Italy hoping there
by to extricate himself from the in
creasingly difficult position in which
his forces find themselves in the
west.
The military situation is dom
mated by the spectacular success
gained by the British forces in their
thrust towards Cam brai.
by adopting new tactical meth
DDS, by evolving a strategy daring
ly conceived and brilliantly execut-
ed, the British forces have been able
TO record a greater success, when
measured by captured terrain, than
any hitherto achieved by either bel
ligerent in the same space of time
along the western front.
While seemingly continuing his
offensive engagements in FLANDERS
by intensive artillery bonn bardment
in the sector stretching from Ypres
TO the North sea. Field Marshal Haig
was able 70 mask successfully his
, plans for an offensive thrust be-
tween the Scarpe river and st. Quen-
tin.
The usual preliminary artillery
preparation was dispensed with. The
clements of surprise so essential to
victory played a large part in the
successes gained.
Few Casualties.
THE British, by a preponderant
numerical superiority in men and
mobile material. by improvising the
skillful tactical maneuvering Of an
unusual number of tanks, and by
coOrdinating with precision the de-
ployment of cavalry, made use Of
| these two arms to bear the brunt
of the encounter. Infantry then was
called upon TO hold and consolidate
the terrain gained Thus the Brit
ish were able to record a decided
success with very great economy of
munitions. and slight casualties.
Three successive German lines Of
defense on a frontage Of six miles
astride the Cambrai-Bapaume road
were captured. and the Scheldt canal
in front of Cambria was crossed.
During the first day Of the battle
dull. dry weather greatly facilitated
operations, which began at dawn on
Nov. 20 Later bad weather set in.
and torrential rains. accompanied by
| fiurries OF snow. held up the attack.
Meet More Resistance
The capture Of the village Of
Fontaine Notre Dame, two and
three-quarters miles west OF Cam
brai. marks the present limit Of the
| advance.
THE British forces. while press
ing forward, are meeting with In
creased resistance.
/ Severe fighting continues, and we
may expect desperate attempts on
the part of the enemy not merely
10 prevent any further British ad-
! vance, but TO regain if possible,
! some OF the lost ground.
/ Cambria, the center of very i'm
portant rail. road. and canal lines
| OF communication. now comes under
the immediate fire OF the British
/ field guns. while the large calibre
/ high velocity and naval guns can
/ readily search out the countryside
/ for miles in the rear. harassing hos
; tile territory and rendering the con-
tinued tenure OF the city BY the
enemy difficult
Take 10000 Prisoners.
To the right and left OF the scene