Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-26
in DOMINATING /
POSITION OVER
TOWN OF CAMBRIA
English, Welsh and Scottish
Batta]ions Aided by
Cavalry.
FRESH GERMAN RESERVES
DEFEATED By BRITISH
Expected That Byng Will Almost
Immediately Endeavor to
Reach Railroad Center.
HUNS STILL HELD BY ITALIANS
Heavy Casualties Inflicted on Invad.
crS and Two Macllinc-Gun
Batteries Captured.
FRESH GERMAN RESERVES
DEFEATED By BRITISH
Huns STILL HELD BY ITALIANS

.tfter hard nghting. in which the
troops came into hand hand contact
with varying results. Field Marshal
IIaig's forces now are In possession OF
the town OF Eourlon and the greater
part OF the Bourbon wood west Of Cam
brat giving them dominating posi-
ton over the much sought for railroad
center and the surrounding country.
English Welsh and Scottish hattal-
ions. aided By the cavalry. now dis
mounted. cncompassed the defeat OF
the Germans. who had concentrated
fresh rescrves-men OF extreme valor-
to face the British in the do-or-die
efforts TO win the positions which mean
so much toward the ultimate capture
OF Cambrai. with its tentacles Of rail-
roads and highways leading in all di-
rectionS. and which Field Marshall
Won FI.ndcnburg is so dependent for
support. Little else except the gain
ing OF this town and Of tho wood had
had place In the strategy OF tho Brit
ish communicative chief since his tlsh
Of last week placed his forces west
and southwest of Cambria virtually
upon the threshold of the town. Ever
since tho initial attack the Germans
had tcnac.ouslr disputed every inch Of
the ground. realizing with the fall OF
hourlon and the wooded heights the
tenure OF Cambrai would be seriously
mcnaced Several times previously the
British had gained footho!ds in both
the town and the wood, but each time.
under vicious countcrattacks, were
compelled to relinquish them.
GERMANS DOING UTMOST
TO HOLD PART OF WOOD
The northcastrriy portion of the
wood apparently now is the sole re-
manning part OF it ,hat IS still in GER
man hands. and beas only about ,hros
and half miles from Cambria. the
Germans arc doing their utmost 10
hold ii. and even TO drive back tho
British who have gained a footins
there.
since the beginning OF the battle OF
Eambrai the British War On,c. reports
nave been extremely meager with de-
tails OF tho lighting. and the latest
communication -:ives no hint of the
proposed intentions OF General Eynr
after the conquest OF Bourbon and
Eourlon wood has been made secure
Apparently. however. with these
strategic points safely in his hands. it
/" not unreasonable to Sucmise that.
having had several days in which to
araw up his guns and rcaliEn his
forces, Ryng will almost immediately
strike again in an cndcavor to reach
Cambrai. The army of the German
Crown Prince has not given up its
efforts 10 overcome the success OF the
French troops last week northwest OF
Rheims. where the gradual incursions
lnt" me German line are threatening
Laon. Hero The Germans again have
made two violent attacks, but their
efforts brought them. as has been the
rule recently, nothing more than re.
pulse and the additional loss of nu-
merous men. Similarly. in the region
Of Nerdun. the Germans have been
worsted in attacks against General
Petain'S front.
In the Italian thcatcr the troops Of
General Daz are more than holding
their own against the savage attacks
OF the Austro-Gcrman forces from the
region Of Lake Garda eastward to the
upper reaches OF the Piavc River.
SWITCH MAIN OFFENSIVE
TO .AsIAGO PLATEAU SECTOR
After last weeks severe repulses
with heavy casualties. the invaders
have switched their main offensive TO
the Asiaso plateau sector. hut here
also they have been held by the Italians
without the gain OF Il yard OF ground
Attack has been met with counter
attack and. in addition TO inflictinc
heavy casualties. tho italians also
have captured two machine-sun bat
;eries.
The lighting along the piave River
fr"m the hilly region to the Adria.ic
has been sporadic, bot at one place
where the enemy attempted 10 cross
The river on pontoons lie was wiped out
by the fire OF the defending artillery.
For the first time in several weeks
there has been activity on the North
ern Russian front and, notwithstand.
ing the unccC:ain political conditions
ia Fctrcsrad and other parts Of the
country. The Russians arc holding their
positions against the Germans. Near
Jacobstadt the German artillery opened
n strong bombardment against the Rus
SLAMS. who replied In turn. To tho
south and also on the RoumanIan front