Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-11-17
BOMBS RAINED ON
GERMAN TRENCHES
: IN BRITISH ATTACK
Majority of Infantry Fight in
New Offensive in France
Was Done With Hand
GrenadeS .-s.~,-. ,~ g.
y Associated Press.)

(sy Associated Press.) ~.a4
Copyright, 1916, by the Associated
Press.)
WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES IN
FRANCE, Via London, Nov. 15.-Tne
British advance along both sides OF the
Ancre. which continued yesterday with
the capture Of the VILLAGE of Beaucourt,
Is considered by the British command
ers as one OF the most importan. sue
cesses in the four months of the Of
fensiye. They insist especially. on the
relatively insignificant character of the
German resistance in a position which
they consider of great strategic impor-
lance and one of the most highly, forth
fled on the entire western front.
More than 5000 prisoners have been
collected In the extensive subterra-
mean galleries and chambers which were
sunk on both sides of the valley and
were miles In extent. Five. hundred
Germans surrendered In a tunnel near
st. Pierre Diyion, which was mile
and a half long. This tunnel gave &C.
cess to scores OF electric lighted cham
bers in which companies of infantry
were housed and which contained, guam
titles OF machine guns and bombs. An
other 700 prisoners were caught in a
ravine south of Beaumont-Hamel where
they were cut off by the first attack
on Monday afternoon - =
The British success south OF lie
Ancre was increased owing to the fact
that the Germans in this section were
on the point of being relieved by fresh
troops when the attack was launched.
The result was that twice the normal
strength Of the garrison was trapped
by the barFage fire. 's--
FIGHT WITH GRENADES.
Among the prisoners taken here were
many men of the Ninety-third infan.
try of which the Duke of Albany is
honorary colonel In chief. The regi-
ment lost heavily. According to the
prisoners the duke was waiting in the
rear to inspect the regiment when IL
left the fighting line.
The majority of the infantry fighting
was done with grenades instead OF
bayonets. The British swarmed over
the surface between the trench lines
and hurled showers of bombs into the
German dugouts and shelters, capturing
in quick succession seven parallel rows
OF the main German trenches between
Beaumont Hamel and Beaucourt. Pris-
oners from the Prussian guards told the
Associated Press correspondent that the
terrific British bombardment destroyed
the machine gun emplacements and
made resistance to the Infantry charge
impossible. They said they were cut
off from their reserves on an entire
front of seven miles which was iso-
lated by the British curtain fire. They
declared they were glad to surrender.
A tank which helped to destroy ma
chine gun positions at the bottom of
the valley south of the Ancre was at
tackled with bombs by the Germans who
swarmed about In large numbers. All
Of the attackers were killed by the guns
OF the tank.
Two-thirds OF the British casualties
south OF the Ancre were walking cases.
The total losses were lighter in pro-
portion than In any previous operation
OF the past four months. All ground as
far as Beaucourt has been well con-
solidated and the troops are pushing
beyond Feenele. The Germans so far
have not attempted any counter at
tacks.