THE BATTLE OF ARRAS.

Marlborough Express, Volume LI, Issue 85, 12 April 1917, Page 4

THE BATTLE OF ARRAS.

GREATEST VICTORY OF THE WAR.

STAGGERING BLOW TO THE

GERMANS

ENEMY ISOLATED BY THEIR *

OWN BARRAGE

Australian and N.Z. Cablo Assooiationf (Received April U, 11 50 p.m.) LONDON, April 11. Mr Philip Gibbs, telegraphing yesterday, says that the Battle of' Arras was the greatest victory the. British have yet gained. It was a> staggering blow to the enemy. ; As'j the Germans are retreating our guns' are smashing them along all roadsj., The Canadians daring the night wort* I Hill 145, the last point of the Vimy;

laidgtH where- tho Germans lifckl out in a pocket with machine-guns.. By tnorning th« vvhole ridg,c was in our liands. _ The Canadian atlaek on Monday Vas astonishingly success! <*L It was •carried out by high-spirited men, with joyous '(confidence in- victory. "They .mardiefd out at -dnxim, cheering and la-uglMUg, through Ttin.*- and rain. They followed close upon the artillery barrage. By 6:30 il»esy had taken their first goals, including the front line system above NtsuvHle St. Vaast :»nd La 3?blie farm to "llielus, where the resistance was most fierce. ;Germens—hundreds »xvf Germanswere hieing in deep nnnnels pierced thrdugb the Kill. -A_*the Casiaffismß surged with fi^ed 'bajauaets 'the screamed, 3Mmnmg ftjrwttrd. •Their «3c'hief desire-was to escape the barrage of theit wm -guns, wliidh was falling fiercely on the trenches, •though too late i& damage our 'men, who were already *beyon*L xhc German prisoners we»3 glad to pay for iihegift of 'life b^carrymg bwek. the 'Canadian woundeS. The Oanaaian 'escorts had to gtcard such eKormous Etimbers of men tihat:prisoners themselves ilirecteS later 'cortftrs to the '*affe«a wire •■©na_t»s_res. u-ii© officers were bad-tempered because 'the and lefi> -ihem in %he front trenches. The tofficcrs admitted the horrors of the bombardment. bomo 3bad :been without. ifood for Soar days, 'because they were boxed in oy 'our .