Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-09-29

biAtiSu IOHl III rance, sept. u, Viz
London, Sept. 28.-In the lull which
has occurred after the great two days
battle in which five villages and 5000
prisoners were taken by the Allies. the
correspondent Of The Associated Press
has had an opportunity to CLEAN many
stories from the participants in the
struggle. The most wonderful Of all
the tales told was perhaps, that one
Of the tanks" or new armored motor
cars which started for Berlin on its
own account. This monstrous land
ship. rumbling along, did not wait on
the infantry after the taking Of Gueu-
decourt, but plodded over shell holes
and across lots looking for its prey like
some prehistoric lizard. In course Of
time it found a German trench but
as it engaged the occupants with its
machine gun, it ran out Of gasolene
When the Germans found this strange
creature. with its steel hide impenetra-
BILE of bullets, stalled, curiosity and
desire Of revenge was a f1llip to their
courage. They went after 1t with the
avidity of prehistoric men stalking q
wounded mammoth, whose bulk was
fast in one of the alleys Of the cave
lwellers. No such game was ever seen
on this western front, marked as it has
been, by all kinds Of bizarre fighting.
According to the accounts given by
the British officers. while the tanks
machine gun blazed right and left,
some of the Germans managed to creep
along the trenches under the forelegs
and hind legs Of the crouching beast.
Then they swarmed over it, looking for
its vitals They fired their rifles into
joints and bombed 1t all over but to
no more avail than burglars trying to
reach the inside Of a battleship turret
with Jimmy. All the while the tanks
machine guns kept busy at the human
targets in reach while it's crew. chosen
dare-devils. concluded to stick until
they starved or the Germans found the
proper can opener to get them out
Tank Rescued
Finally the British infantry In the
rear, seeing the tank in distress, re-
fused to wait on any generals orders
that they should remain at the objec-
tive which they had gained. They were
out to save that impounded tank and
with 4 cheer they rushed the Germans
and overwhelmed them. When the
crew heard the laughing and shouting
in English, they opened the door and
called out I'VE are all right, if you
will only get us some more juice so
that the old girl can have guzzle of
her proper drink and we can take the
road again.
So the infantry formed line in
lo<o fO de-
fend her to the last man, while run
ner was hurried back for can OF gas
oline. The gasoline arrived safely and
the beast, having taken a swallow
ambled back into reserve amidst WIG
cheering. 1t left behind 25o dead Ger
mans according to its commander
Another tank which did we'll In Its
fight assisted in the taking OF Inlep-
val There was once chateau III
Thiepval. The cellar is still there. roof
cd bv the remains of the DWELLING
bricks. stone and mortar In thlcK
shell Of pounded debris which project
ed it from penetration by even h'ne
and pinch high explosives. here the
Germans waited, smoking cigars anu
drinking soda water which was brougnt
nm through shell-proof undergrouau
tunnels. while the ruins over 'neii
heads were belabored valnly oy .''N
pr;tish artillery. OF course they nao
machine gun ready to welcome .io
Rr;tish infantry instantly that 'he
rr,t;sh bombardment stopped. Whe'
tho gun began rafting the British tooh
co,.er and considered ways ana means
- s;,enc;ne it. TheM a tank appeared
and crushing in and out Oh 'ne ny,
holes. made a quick finish oA '"e
lar and its occupants 1,,,err
The taking Of Thiepval ana the No
redoubt. which lies between II anu 80
celette. was a wonderful business Ane
val was held by the 11sth German reg
want which had been there TOT iois
t,r,e According to prisoners, the oehe"0-
az. had fortified the commanding fiose
with an amazing series of ramlheo 'uh-
ne,s and dugouts. They had aug i'i'o ."o
che,kv earth until they were saie ui'ue.
q sbe,, fire which would have destfoSeo
q fort like Moubeuge or Liese' Inc n'eN
NJ tho 1soth asked permission to remain IN
rh,enva, giving their word that 1t wouio
rsver he taken from them. and the Ter
Yesterday the British were prying ior INC
entrances to dugouts in the oiacKeneu
ruins of the town amid the stench Oh al
kinds Of explosives as we'll as gas anu
lachrvmatory shells. There was sporaoi'
hand to hand fighting and at Intervals
Germans appeared from the bowels OF .n'
earth with their hands up and surrenoer-
ed to the British soldiers.
Persistent Digging
An example of what persistent digging
will do in the extension of cellars OF
building, Is given by Mouauet Farm'
which the British took on the 15tn. Iney
blew in the mouth to all the entrances
of dugouts that they could find ana hao
advanced their line we'll beyond the 1arm
when British officer saw two Germans
standing on a sort Of Stag heap close 10
his side. They beckoned to him. ana no
thought they were prisoners left oenino
their escort, but as he went toward them
one shot him dead. Both then disap-
peared In the earth. Later on other cor
mans came to the surface and began nT-