The New York herald., 1922-06-05
Pettigoe Is Bombarded in
Drive to Clean Up Bor-
der Area.
LEADERS ARE SEIZED
Commandant and Staff
Captured With Many
Sim Feiners.
HOWITZERS MAY BE USED
HOWITZERS MAY BE USED
Three Columns of British
Start First Offensive Along
the Disturbed Frontier.

.
Infantry, cavalry. artillery and
whip9et tanks took part in the first
offensive action of the British troops
on the Ulster borderland to-day,
when Pettigoe, which straddles the
frontier, though large part of the
town is in Free State territory, was
stormed and retaken from troops of
the Irish Republican army, who en-
tered on May 8. Several thousand
British troops took part in the action.
Reports from Belfast describe the
border countryside as swarming with
khaki, while the British General d.
rects the operations from headquar-
ters on hill outside the town.
When it became evident that the
British were moving in force against
Pettigoe, the Republicans began to
withdraw, consequently there was
little resistance to parties of soldiers
in motors and on foot. who dashed
through the town shortly after noon.
six Slim Feiners Killed.
Reports to the Press Association
say that one Of the British artillery
shells is reported to have killed six of
the Sim Feiners at Pettigoe. Later
an armored car entered the town, and
the British commander gave the Re-
publicans fifteen minutes In which to
surrender; this they did by giving up
all arms and ammunition.
An official communique issued at
Headquarters of the Ulster military
district says:
'Briaish troops moving by water to
the western end of Lough Erne on the
evening of the Sd were fired upon
from Free State territory near Petit
goe. British troops moving in Ulster
territory toward Pettigoe on the morn
Free State territory, and the driver of
car was killed.
"In consequence of these occur
rences the armed forces occupying
Pettigoe were attacked by British
troops and driven out. three of them
being killed and a Lewis gun captured.
The artillery came into action and
fired few rounds against a machine
gun firing from a wood behind Petit
goe."
Many Slim Feiners Captured.
Besides the Republican comman-
dant and staff. who were captured
when the troops entered tie town. 1t
is reported that a large number Of
Sim Feiners were taken in a later
cleanup of Pettigoe.
OF three columns of troops which
last evening began advancing into the
section of Fermanagh county occu-
pied by the southerners. two columns
operated toward Pettigoe. tie other
in the direction of Belleek, which the
Republicans had also occupied.
At noon the troops had approached
70 within a mile Of Pettigoe without
drawing TIE fire Of the southerners.
who were engaged In the evacuation
of the place and Of the hille which
dominated the main road along the
line Of march of tie troops. While on
the Free State side there was complete
silence, the greatest activity was dis
played by the approaching columns.
with maneuverinE cavalry, specials in
motors and whippet tanks flying the
Union Jack. The tanks were always
in readiness to move to tie support
of the advancing columns.
Howitsers I'm Readiness.
Tho Pettigoe columns made an un-
interrupted advance. but the smaller
party of troops were held on Boa ISL
and. ready to land in case of necessity
and join in the advance on the town.
Howitzers were placed in position near
Belleek. where troops were massed
awaiting orders 10 go forward.
The auxiliary Pandora and numer-
Gus little armed motor craft partici-
pated in the general movement. The
Pandora conveyed across the lake a
regular fleet OF small boats TO be
used as transports. Additional British
troops reached Belfast to-day.
BELFAST. Juno ASSOCIATED Press).
One account Of the capture OF Petit
zoe says that after heavy lombard
ment the British troops advanced. A
hot machine gun fire was poured on the
attacking forces, but the only casualty
was an automobile driver, who was shot
dead. Large quantities of arms and
ammunition are reported TO have been
captured.
A semi-oficial version OF the fighting
Is Quoted by the correspondent OF the
Belfast Telegraph, who says: The
military entered Pettigoe shortly after
o'clock in the afternoon and were
fred on by the Republicans. The artll-
lery came into action. and the Republic
cans are believed to have suffered fairly
heavy losses. The military have con-
solidated the position"
1t is said that the commander at Pet
tigoe, who was taken prisoner. was a
Mayo doctor.
Military activity. in reality, began
about 10 o'clock Saturday night. when
troops with full fighting equipment