The daily Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1916-1917, 1916-08-16
BATTLEFIELD
LIKE GIGANTIC STORM
War Correspondent Writes a
Vivid Description of Al
lied Drive.
VILLAGES ARE RUINED
Roar and Flash of Cannon
Are Like a Continuous
Electric Disturbance.
VILLAGES ARE RUINED
By WILBUR S. FORREST.

UNITED Press Staff Correspondent
WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
THE FIELD, July 20, (by maiD-If
it's possible to imagine dozens of
heavy thunderstorms blended into one
continuous roar, the shrieking and
whining of tons of steel and high ex-
plosives retiring through the air,
lightning flashes of bursting shells
continuously specking the sky like a
giant Fourth of July display, then it
is partly possible to visualize the new
est phase of war on the western front.
The United Press correspondent
heard and saw all this today from a
high stretch of ground commanding
the scene of a dozen of the bloodiest
and most terrible conflicts of the Brit
ish army's drive. Dotting the green
hills and valleys here and there dis
tinct brown plotches of brown visible
among naked skeletons of the trees.
Htse ugly DiotS vi tuS ldiuSCdpe,
short time ago, were villages, each
with a church spire and red topped
houses snuggled down between the
rolling hills. Today they are merely
ugly blots. Each is typical of the
other-mostly a pile of bricks that
resembles nothing.
From the vantage point were OBJ
served Contalmaison, Bazentine-le-
Grand, Mentauben, LaBoisselle, Ma
metz and several small woods which
have figured prominently in the COM
muniques. Just beyond the range of
vision lay LOngueval and Delville .
wood, where at the moment the Ger /
mans were engaged in heavy ,
which gave them back .
a part of the wood and few houses
in the village. A British counter-at-
tack reversed the verdict. Fighting of
this character has been a popularity
of British offensive. All captured
points are strongly held. Wherever
fhe Permans concentrate their re-
serves and carry out a counter drive,
any success they gain is of short du-
ration.
Precaution prevents publication of
news relative to troops and move
ments of troops, but it can be said
with safety, that there is no shortage
Of shells or men or guns behind the
British lines. From the viewpoint of
he non-military observer there is no
shortage of anything.
For miles along the net work of
'oads are great masses of fighting
nen behind the line, most of them
wearing the picturesque steel helmet
waiting their turn. Motor lOrries in
great droves are also performing their
luties. Passing along the roads for
niles behind the line one sees khaki
Peaceful little villages which fate
las kept so near the ravages of the
onflict yet still untouched are filled
With it, Every doorway shows tom
ny" Every corner shows a group.
these men are in billets. Many of
hem have had their turn at the front
nd are taking a well earned rest ,
)thers have arrived from England re-
emily as can be seen by the newness ;
f their uniforms. The veteran fight
ng Tommy is trifle more stained
Roadside training fields with de-
achments of newer contingents still .
n training are frequently seen.
schools of bombing and musketry are ,
catered here and there
Northern France is one great pano- =.
ANA of war.