New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Is Square Miles Evacuated
Without Hindrance
From Germans
148 Guns Taken,
Berlin Claims
British Now Occupy Much
Stronger Positions in
Smaller Salient

LONDON, Dec. 6.-Without hindrance
from the enemy the British troops have
withdrawn from a ffteen-square-mile
section of the Cambrai salient and TAX
Ell up new and stronger positions on
the line of Moeuvres, Flesquieres, Ribe-
court and Gonneleu, three miles re-
moved from the line of their furthest
advance, according to official announce
ment tonight. This retrograde move
ment, made imperative by the recent
successes Of the Germans in driving
wedges into the salient, shortens Cen
eral Byng's front il the Cambria re-
gion some eight miles.
That this new front holds many ad-
vantages over that previously occupied
is indicated by Reuters correspondent
at British headquarters, who telc-
graphs tonight:
General Byng has realized Ma
poleon's definition of generals great
est quality-'to know when 10 retreat
and do it,
Line Is Well Chosen
"We have fallen back deliberately
and successfully upon a well chosen
line, which rules out the salient made
by Bourbon Wood and should enable
us to maintain our hold upon the capt
ured length of the Hindenburg line
against any pressure.
"The territory we abandoned is prob
ably less than one-third of the total
gained in General Byng's great tank
drive. The work of destroying every
thing valuable to the enemy was very
thoroughly done"
Following the retirement OF the
British. the Germans Immediately oc-
cupied Gfsincourt, Anneux, Cantaing'
Novelties and the woods and heights
around Marcoing, which town they al
ready had held, advancing their line
before Cambria some three miles on
q six-mile front. In their retirement
the British. according to the German
War Office, destroyed all villages.
During his retreat the enemy, when
ever he had time, destroyed the VII
lagos either by setting them on fre or
blowing them up" the statement says.
"The ruins Of these villages and the
vanton destruction which had been
commenced on the town OF Cambria,
now far distant from the enemy, are
traces. which for many long day the
English have left on French soil, of
the breaking through at Cambria, which
they began with such high hopes and
which endel in checkmate by a heavy
defeat"
Germans Claim 5000 Prisoners
Meanwhile, in the sharp local actions
which have followed Byng's withdrawal
on both sides of the salient, the Ger
mans claim TO have increased the num-
Der of prisoners taken TO more than
5000, and the number of guns to 14S.
The British claim the capture of 13S
guns in the battle of Cambria.
Yesterday and to-day the Germans
continued their attacks at La Vacquerie,
or the southeastern end Of the front,
what Byng describes as very severe
losscs. Southwest of La Vacquerie the
British succeeded this morning in
slightly advancing their line and mate
rally improving their situation at that
point.
The readjustment in the British
lines, forecast yesterday by General
Maurice, spokesman of the British War
do haaanga of
the depth of the salient they had
driven into the enemy's front. In the
original attack part of the British
forces passed so far ahead Of the rest
that they were without proper defences
TO meet the desperate assaults OF the
enemy, who, operating from Cambria,
was able to concentrate huge masses
of fresh shock troops against Byng's
lines and thereby decide the issue for
the moment.
Line Still Commands Cambrai
The new British line lies about three
and a half miles from Cambria at its
furthest point, and General Byng's
guns still command the city and its
lines of communication. The hold
which the British had on the east bank
of the Scheldt apparently has been
shaken loose, however. and before they
can undertake another successful drive
against the city it will be necessary for
them TO force the river again.
On the French front both sides con-
Quoted raids of varying success. North
of Bezonvaux, in the Verdun region,
q strong German effort was repulsed,
while along the Aisne the French took
prisoners in patrol actions. Three
German aeroplanes were brought down
Yesterday by French hiers and eight
others were forced TO descend in a
damaged condition within their own
lines. Raids were carried out by Ger
man aviators on Dunkirk and Calais
last night, but no casualties were IN
ficted, the French report states.