South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-04-22
PUMP HOT PITCH AND
OIL INTO TRENCHES
English Forces Now Able to
HarraSS Foe with Artillery
as Far North as VilIebeke-
Become Adopts at Sniping.

LONDON. April 22.-Taken by sur
prise by the suddenness of the British
attack that resulted in the capture Of
Till 30. 60. the German defenders Of
fered almost no resistance at the out
Bet. but after the English troops had
gained their first advantage the kais-
er's soldiers fought desperately to re-
gain their lost ground.
Despite their heavy losses, the Ger
mans maintained their counter attacks
b. day and by night only to be com
pletely checked. Assault after assae
was made by the Germans under
calling artillery fire that raked their
panks.
These facts are set forth in an Of
GCial eye witness narrative from Brit
ssh headquarters under date of April
20. and issued by the government press
bureau today.
Blow Up Trenches.
''The attack on Hin No. 60 began
at y. m on April Il, when We nred
heavily charged mines under the Ger
Imam position, blowing up length of
prench with $50 men. nearly all OF
Whom perished." says the narrative.
Within a few minutes our infantry
nushed the crateTs in the enemy's line
hnd gained possession OF $50 yards.
30 suddenly was the assault carried
Eout that our troops met hardly any
Resistance. They sustained few casual
aies securing loo prisoners, incluQlnS
nWO officers.
"The Germans shortly opened heavy
riTe on the section we had gained. This
continued throughout the night. Our
men held firm. working hard to
Strengthen their grounds and beating
toff several counter attacks.
About I a. IN. sunday the Germans
determined
effort. They assaulted in force. corl-
ing in close formation Hand-tO-h hand
nghting continued for some time.
AT this juncture invaluable service
was rendered by our motor machine
guns. which rushed TO the front and
lopened fire on the masses coming for
ward. while artillery raked their ranks
with shrapRel The counter attack
was beaten off with very heavy loss to
the Germans. who. as usual showed no
inclination Co accept defeat.
Attack All Day Sunday.
Throughout the whole OF Sunday
troops were hurled against our trench
.es. once toward evening, some OBJ
tained "a footing on the southern edge
of the crest. To was only a momen-
tary advantage. All our Infantry
charged with the bayonet. dislodging
the Germans and securing the whole
position. An hour later, the hall was
held in strength.
"Our casualties as expected from
the nature of the lighting. by this
time were heavy. The German losses
were far greater. We took many pris-
oners
"The especially stubborn resistance
by the enemy was due 20 the fact that
the position is of value TO him. 1t
commands a large portion of ground
10 the north as far as Villebeke.
During the day a German aero
plane damaged in a fight with a
British plane. was forced 20 descend
within our lines
shoot Hot Pitch.
"On the material side of the general
situation We are IN many places SUI
perior 10 the enemy IN the very form
ally least prepared and in which the
Germans until recently enjoyed great
advantage. They had ready the neces-
sary troops and all technical equip
ment including ballistic engines
throwing every kind OF missiles. Ike
rockets. flares. incenGiary shells.
pumps squirting blazing oil and pitch,
on which they had made elaborate ex-
periments during peace.
In spite of our initial handicap we
beat back the Germans at their own
T~me. A. some points we have oh
tanned the mastery in sniping 10 such
an extent that our men are able 10
walk about outside their trenches in
comparative safety within short range
Of the hostile line.
I've are now in a position 20 harass
the Germans and give them little rest.
This is made possible hy shelling,
bomb throwing and sniping"