Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-30
bomb THROWERs PLAY
] IMPORTANT PART IN WAR
Lys
Germans Are Showing Distastc for
sr~ Kind Of Fighting INDUCED
In by English.
STIRRING STORY OF LA BAssEE
Hand GrenadeS Largely Responsible
for This Victory To British Arms.
- Goodness and Quickness of Soldiers
~ Never Have Been Surpassed.
ny pERcIvAL PHILLIPS.


Another stirring story OF heroism lies
behind official reports of the recent
British advance in the region of Festu
bert. north OF La Bassee
j Bomb throwers played an important
I part in winning this victory. This
form OF attack is intended TO clear the
labyrinth OF galleries serving as UNI
foreground refuge of the enemy when
their position once has been gained,
Its success depends upon the auickness
and GOODNESS of the men engaged. as
well as their bravery.
The Germans show a marked dis
taste for such close range lombard
ment. They seem 10 fear the hand
grenades as much a they fear tho cold
steel. The mere sight of a man in
Khaki with an uplifted hand clutchinG
one of these missiles has been suf
ficient TO cause the surrender of an en-
tire company.
GERMAN ADMITS
HAVING FILL OF WAR
One German officer. now lodged in
comfortable captivity, admitted frank
ly that the war had los. all interest
for him when he was suddenly con:
fronted with a hand grenade. He said
to British officer after his capture:
IT had only just arrived at the front
The first day ! was shclled; tho next
day British soldier threw a bomb at
me, and thought ! had had enough. so
1, surrendered"
a bombing party presents a weird
sight as ii plunCcs across the broken
entanglemcnts into a German trench.
The men carry five or six grenades
rr.N-
aim, in accordance with n carefully re-
hearsed plan. Frequently one detach-
ment will GO back through Il calling
fire in order to rcplcnish the stock of
bombs.
One of the finest bomb exploits was
performed by Sergeant Major Barter
of the Welsh Fusjlers. and seven men.
who, unaided. bomharded ono German
trench for 500 yards, capturing 1902
prisoners and an officer. and discover
ing and cutting eleven INNINGS which
had been prepared AT intervals Of
twenty yards. Second Lieutenant Has
sell. OF the South Staffords. led Il
grenade detachment of twcnty-iivc men,
which worked through one difficult
trench after another. showing great
bravery. and, when their bombs were
exhausted. went back for n fresh sup
ply. The success OF the attack, which
cleared nearly mile of line, was due
largely to Lieutenant Iiassell's efforts.
Nearly 600 prisoners were taken. with
several machine guns, and many more
otthe Germans bolted.
CONTINUES HURTING HOMES
AFTER HE Is WOUNDED
Private Hardy. OF Queens, West Sur
roy, one OF the bomb throwcrs. was
wounded in the left arm as he reached
the first German trench. He tainted,
but, on reviving. bound his arm in "A
sling made from a portion of his shirt
and resumed the attack. Although a
conspicuous mark with his throat and
chest bare. Hardy. forced to throw
left-handed. continued TO hurl his
bombs until he was shot.
When the Scots Guards attacked on
the left OF the highway called the
Prince Road, one company pushed
ahead at such speed that it was cut
off Two days afterwards tho bodies
of eighty men and two officers were
found lying in the open with nearly
200 dead Germans around them. They
had fought to the last man one OF
the officers was Sir Frederick Fitz
Wygram.
One Of the mosMlhrilliEG experiences
was that OF the.I' o;frth Cameron High
landers They were sent forward TO
take 500 yards of trench, a, the end OF
which stood several ruined houses
The attack was timed to begin at the
moment the British artillery ceased TO
fire.
The adjutant waited. watch in hand
the men ranged behind him in grim
anticipation OF a grand fight The
hcF ~ =,
open country. and they were confident
that a determined rush would take
them quickly TO their goal They did
not see the Intervening bitches until
they were right on them \ few of
the best jumpers GO, across and i'm
nediately dashed straight for the
trench. The others were slightly de-
laYed, tut 9 Company and part of Il
Company gained the position in time
toshoot the forty remaining Germans.
the others having waited until thcv
: saw the Killed foe leapinr across the
obstacles, then scurrying to their sec.
ord line
Then tho commander Of the dc,ach
nent sent a patrol 10 rcconnoi,cr the
ruined houses al The end Of the trench
Inc patrol found they were fun OF
Germans a message was son, r.
heduqHd' ,e! - dSk1iE lot machine guns
and bombs. and Il few men who hat
spades were set to work to dig .
trench protection against an en-
flad!ng attack
COLONEL FRAZER KILLED
WHILE COVERING RETRE.1
Meanwhile, the Germans holding III,
houses made strong countcrattacl
with bombs and trench mortars, anc
the commander of The Camerons mail,
oroered their retirement. The mcI
hounderinE back through the mud anc
water. several Of til. men wor.
drowned. but a majority OF then
reached the British lines
Northumberland Frazer was kill.,
while covering the retrca, He refuse,
10 go into the ditch unti! all Of MI
men were away, and was about :,
plunge into the water when a bull.