The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1922-06-16
BRITISH CAPTURE
IRISH TOWN
Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery and
Tanks Used to Drive Repub-
Iicans From Pettigoe.
KHAKI SWARMS ON BORDER
English Also Advan ;ing on LeIIeek In
vaders-MiItary Operations on
Large Scale Resorted to y
Clear !. r. A. From Fermanagh

LondOn.-Infantry, cavalry, artillery
and whippet tanks took part in the
first offensive action of the British
troops on the Ulster borderland when
Pettigoe, which straddles the line,
though a large part of 4 = town is in
Free State territory, was storlned and
.retaken from troops Of the Irish Re-
publican Army who entered on May 3.
Reports from Belfast describe the
border countryside as swarming with
khaki, while the British general di-
rects the operations from headquarters
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. 1t is semi
officially announced that the Republf-
cans suffered fairly heavy losses, but
the sole casualty on the northern side
was 'he driver of i mOtorcar
Besides the Republican commaI-
dant and staff, who were taken pris-
oner when the troops entered the town.
it is reported that a large number Of
Sim Feiners were captured in a later
cleanup of Pettigoe. Of three col
umns of troops which began advancing
into the section of Fermanagh County
occupied by the SOutherners, two col
-{oy arI
other in the Erection of Belleek, which
the Republicans had also occupied.
At noon the Il pops had approached
to within a mile of Pettigoe without
drawing the fire of the Southerners,
who were engaged in The evacuation of
the place and of the hills which domi-
mated the main road along the line of
march Of the troops. While on the
Free State side there was complete
silence, the greatest activity was dis
played by the approaching columns,
with maneuvering cavalry, specials In
motors and whippet tanks flying the
union jack. The tanks were always
in readiness to move to the support Of
the advancing columns.
The auxiliary pandora and numerous
little armed motor craft participated in
the general movement. The pandora
conveyed across Lake Erne, regular
fleet of small boats to be used as trans
ports.
Heavy Bombardment Precedes Capture
of Pettigoe-British Lose One Man
Belfast.-It is reported that heavy
bombardment preceded the British-eap-
ture of Pettigoe. A hot machine gun
fire was poured on the attacking forces,
but the only casualty was an automo-
bile driver, who was shot dead. The
commander of the Irish Republican
army and his staff are reported to have
been captured.
A semi-official version of the fighting
says: 'The military entered Pettigoe
shortly after 1 o'clock and were fired
on by the Republicans. The artillery
came into action, and the Republicans
are believed to have suffered fairly
heavy losses. The military have con-
solidated the position"
1t is said that the commander at
Pettigoe was a Mayo doctor. Driver
Dobson was sitting with comrades aft
er the capture of the place when the
Republicans opened fire with a ma
chine gun from a concealed position,
riddling him.
Several thousand troops are taking
part in the military operations on a
large scale now in full swing on the
Fermanagh border. The military ac-
tivity in realty began when troops with
full fighting equipment marched from
Enniskillen along the western side Of
Lough Erne toward Belleek. Artillery
with armored cars, tenders and all the
customary pharapherRalia of war in
it's train, also battled along the narrow
road. 1t was planned to place big
guns in position near Roscoe, where
they would command not only Mag
heramena Castle, but also Belleek and
the fort overlooking it, occupied by
Sim Fein forces.