Omaha daily bee., 1916-07-18
BRITISH CLOSE TO
THIRD ENEMY LINE
Operations After Recent Ad-
vance More in the Nature
Of Open Fighting.
WEATHER IS STILL FINE

britisn 'FRONT.' IN france, july ~
(Via London. July l7.-Continuing
their offensive, the British who yes
terday broke through the German Sc
oond line of defense now have taken
all of Delville Wood. which was
headed by the South Africans, and
the Highwood. establishing them
selves beyond Bazantin Lepetit. ad-
vanced parties having been to the
outskirts ,f Martinpuich and Pozeres
and some other points close to the
third German line OF defense. The
wealth.. remains dry and warm.
The operations after yesterdays
advance were more in the nature of
open fighting, the Germans using
strong points on favorable ground
which were good machine positions.
TO gain time in rallying reinforce
ments which arrive and dig new
trenches, while the British dig in
opposite them with each stage OF the
advance. Frequently they are so near
each other that neither side dares
use its guns. Every possible protec-
ton is seized and stoutly held by
both sides.
Woodland Important.
Possession of stretches of wood
land becomes as important as that
of villages. The German defenders
of Trones Wood had orders to stand
to the last man. and the orders vir-
tually were obeyed. Cases have
been numerous in the woods fight
ing where Britons and Germans have
been pierced by each others bayonets.
1t is amazing that in the thick of the
struggle at all points stretcher bear
ers manage to bring out the wounded.
The Germans are keeping up a
heavy volume of artillery FIRE in an
swer to the British, indicating the
arrival Of fresh artillery. British
guns were able today to reach the
main road of Martinpuich which was
crowded with transports, ae oplanes
reporting immense destruction and
confusion.
Every one coming from the front
remarks upon the paucity of German
aeroplane and anti-aircraft guns de-
spite the reinforcements in other
arms. British airmen in many in
stances have descended as low as 800
or 500 feet firing upon German infan-
try with their machine gun, and re-
ceiving the cheers of British infantry.
Such low flights have resulted in re-
markably intimate scouting.
Beyond Main Line.
The scene Of action has been car
ried for the first time beyond the Sc
eond main line of German defenses
since stationary warfare began on the
western front. Officers returning
from the front line speak of seeing
abandoned German guns, but say
they are 90 busy fighting to bother
to bring them in.
The most dramatic situation in the
battle comes when the German gun
ners strive to draw off their guns
with British infantry within rifle
range. In the grinding conflict which
is courageously forced to close quar-
ters, neither the German nor the
number Of prisoners is expressive of
the results or the stake ior which both
sides are fighting.
British commanders merely say
that they have advanced further than
they expected and repeat the pro-
ceeding through various stages in the
long and immense undertaking.
Prisoners Best Fed.
Among the documents captured is
the complaint Of division command
er OF the destruction of a German
battalion by their own gunfre. One
prisoner then complained that the
only person in Germany who really
had enough to eat were the British
prisoners, thanks to parcels sent
them from home, and American in
terest in their welfare. Generally
they complain more Of the British
artillery fire than of the food short
age. They think Germany is in no
danger OF starving and that the war
will be decided by fighting like that
of the last two or three weeks where
every gun, rifle, man, trench or gully
or tree which gives cover will count.
1t is difficult for anyone not at the
front to realize the change in the new
army wrought by the two weeks,
thanks to the first continued advance
which is giving the troops practical