The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-09

This was the answer of the fighting British armies to the German bid for peace. Early in the day smashing blows had carried the British and Americans deep into the positions of the stagger- ing enemy.
 The battle is one of the most furious, as well one of the most important of the war. The British
 cannon, wheel to wheel, sent tons of explosives crashing on top of the
 enemy in a whirlwind barrage dur ing the better part of the night and early morning.
 The very air trembIed and the
 earth rocked with the continuous
 roar of the explosions. The ex-
 pIoding shells throbbed vividiy
 against clouds from which rain
 poured, the flashes being visible
 for many miles.
 SMASH SYSTEM COMPLETELY Two British armies attacked in converging operation in a northeaster- Jy direction The Fourth army with which the Americans were cooperating attacked at a gap in the last Hin denburg system and for miles on both sides, while the Third army was in ac- tion up to Cambrai, attacking along the continuation of the Beaureyoir- Mas nieres line, both on the front and in turning movement. So, it would ap- pear that the general idea is to smash down the Hindenburg system complete ly on a broad front, enabling opera tions to be carried out to the east Of 1t. The first phase of the attack began about 2 o'clock in the morning when the infantry, with the assistance of an ln- tense barrage, stormed the high ground Immediately south of Cambrai, along Az !, f-pn rni nuns. Special attention was given to oth- CT high ground in the southern outskirts of Cambrai, as the town is known to be strongly occupied by the enemy.
 ADVANCE EASTWARD
 Already British forces north of the town have gone well to the eastward, so that success to the south should un- doubtedly result in squeezing it into British hands.
 The troops are now pushing forward towards Walincourt, Malincourt, Esnes, Wambaix, Serian, Fremont. Brancourt and LesDain and towards the Cambrai- Lecatau road. If this road is cut, it will further insure the speedy fall of Cambrai.
 As a matter of fact, some of these towns have probably already been cap tured, but information is always meagre so soon after an attack of such great proportions is launched.
 While this battle ragged the British in the northern areas carried out demon strations which gave the Germans there something to worry about.
 BITTER FIGHTING
 Bitter fighting was in progress jusi south of Cambrai when the British Americans and French for 20 miles to the south went over the top. A colo rain had started during the night anG continued. Mist and fog assisted the attack in some places.
 The enemy counter attacks at many places appeared to have been weak and thin, for the Germans, realizing the desperateness of their position, hat moved their guns well back. The Brit ish barrage did terrible damage among the ranks of the retiring Huns. The principal resistance came from the ma chine gunners, fighting from pockets and nests as heretofore.
 At this hour the battle is proceed. ing with the greatest fury.
 GREAT VICTORY WON
 With the British Army in France October 8, 4;S0 D. m.-(By the Asso ciated Press.)--A great victory, the re suits of which undoubtedly will prove of the widest importance. especially al this time, has been won today by two British armies in the field Son from extending 20 miles from Cambrai south. ward.
 Americans participated in the center and they plunged even more deeply int