Complex sentence: The 39th Division was able to cross the German trenches; in front of La Targette were two strong points containing artillery but the French advance was so swift that only a few machine-gunners were able to engage them.
Split into simpler sentences: The 39th Division was able to cross the German trenches. In front of La Targette were two strong points containing artillery but the French advance was so swift that only a few machine-gunners were able to engage them.