The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-05
OFFICIAL REPORTS
OF THE FIGHTING

LONDON, Nov. 4.-FCs ,toiag are the
oSicIoI reports Of operations In France
aud Beloiun as issued by the several
iCar Offices:
BRITISH (.sz2-,T)-Troops Of the
Fourth. Third and First armies at
tackled between the Sambre Canal and
the River Scheldt, north OF Falen-
ciennes. On the whole OF the thirty
mile front troops from the United
Kingdom. and New Zealand have
broken deeply into the enemy's POSI-
tions. More than 10000 prisoners and
200 guns are already reported cap
tured.
On the right Of the attack the FRS:
and Thirty-second divisions advanced
to the assault, in conjunction with
French forces operating to the south
OF Them With great dash and gal
lantry these two divisions stormed the
formidable obstacle presented by tile
line of the Sambre Canal, and, in spite
OF strong resistance from the enemy.
have pressed on to q depth OF moro
than three miles to the east Of II.
In these operations the First Etvi-
sion. under command OF Gen. Strick-
land, having captured tho town of
Catilion. forced passages OF the canal
opposite that place and near the lock,
two miles to the south of II. At the
latter point, assisted by Royal En-
gineers, the FRS. Cameron Highland
ers effected the passage of the canal
in six minutes.
In its subsequent advance this divi-
sion captured the villages OF Fesmy,
Hautrere and La Groise, with 1900
prisoners.
On its left the Thirty-second Dr.
vision crossed the canal at Ors and
after severe fighting took Rueden-
haut. Having cleared the line OF tire
canal to the south and north of this
village IT continued Its advance and
drove the enemy from the villages of
Mezieres, La Folie and San Breton
In the centre OF the attack the Thir-
teenth Division. under Gen. Norland;
the Fifth, Gen. Shute, and the Fourth
Corps. Gen. Harper, attacked the west
ern face of Normal Forest
After heavy fighting the infantry
and tanks drove the enemy from his
positions in the western outskirts OF
the forest. capturing the villages of
Soyeres. Preux-au-Bois, Hecq, Futoy
and Louvignies.
Thereafter our infantry continued
the advance, overcoming alike the
great natural difficulties of the heavily
wooded ground and the resistance Of
the enemy.
Moving through the enclosed coun-
try on the southern edge of the forest,
the Twenty-fifth Division forced cross
ings or the Sambre Canal opposite
Landrecies and captured the town.
Further north the Eighteenth and Fiji
tieth divisions penetrated deeply into
the forest itself and are still advanc-
ing.
The Thirty-eighth Division has
reached Les Grandes Failures and the
Seventeenth Division has captured
Locauignol. In the centre of the forest
Severe fighting took place this morn
ing in the neighborhood OF lie Quesnoy
where the enemy counter attacked In
force and was repulsed by New Tea
land division with great loss in killed
and prisoners. Our troops have passed
to the south and north Of this fortified
town and are now several miles TO the
cast OF II.
On the left English troops, having
followed up the enemy closely through
out his withdrawal yesterday morn
ing, attacked and drove him from MS
new positions on the line OF the Au'
nelue River. East OF this river the
Guards division has captured Preux
au-Sart and the 7@Uenty-fourth Divi'
sion has captured Wargnie5-'e-Peti,
and Northumberland The Nine
teenth Division has crossed the Au'
nelue River east of Jenlain.
Further north our troops hold Be-
bourg and Sebuurquiaux.
On the extreme left, to the north
east OF Valenciennes, the Canadian
troops haSe made progress along tht
right bank OF the Scheldt and have
passed beyond Estreux and Onnaing.
Our advance is continuing on the
whole battle front.
BRITISH (DAY)-At dawn thi
morning we attacked on a wide from
south of the Scheldt. Tho attack i
reported to have been launched salts
factorily.
FRENCH tNIGHT)-The First Arm!
attacked In conjunction with the Brit
ish on the Sambre-Oise Canal between
Oisy and Vadencourt We crossed tn
canal and gained footing on the higi
ground on the east bank. reaching thu
villages of Boue. La Caurette. La Neu
velle-lez- DorenRt and Iron and passed
beyond Lesquielles, making an ad
vance at certain points OF three kilo
meters
FRENCH tDAY-North, Of tn