Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-22
HghLanders Fight
to Music of Pipers
"The CampbcHs Are Coming"
Played While Regiment
Rushcs against Germans.
By PHILIP GIBBS.

WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE. July 81 (via London).-The
present stage of the British advance Is
causing them very hard fighting for
important positions and high ground
which must be gained and held before
new progress over the open country is
possible. The Germans are gathering
up reserves. and fighting them against
the British to check their onward
movements at all costs, and, IL seems
TO me. the Germans have brought up
new batteries of heavy guns because
the German artillery fire Is increas-
ing. Prisoners reveal there is grave
anxiety behind the German lines. where
there is no attempt to minimize the
greatness of the British menace. The
Germans are undoubtedly straining
nerve to organize Il new formidable
resistance. To-day. however. tho Ger
mans lost many men and valuable
ground. not only in fighting the British.
but the French. who, at Mauropas. and
other positions have made successful
advance.
The situation at Longueval and Del
willie wood has been full Of trouble for
the British Ever since these places
were taken by the Highland Regiment
on July Il the Germans made repeated
the village. where they still held some
machinc-Gun emplaccments, and kent
the way open through the German
trenches here on the north, so that
the Germans could send up supports
and supplies. From the north also the
Germans concentrated heavy artil-
lery fire on the southern part Of the
Delville wood, which was held by the
South African troops and maintained
violent barraEe. Nevertheless the
Fiehlanders held on. nearly week,
with logged endurance. that frustrat-
cd all efforts of the Germans to get
back on their old ground. The yt.lan-
try Of these men who wear the tartan,
would seem wonderful if II was not
habitual with them. Their sirst dash
10: l-ongucval was one Of The fines,
exploits of the war. They were led
forward by their pipers, who zen. no,
oh'| to"arc the German lines. hut
across them and into the thick of the
hiit'" II was to the tune "'rhc Carn.
beiS ar" Coming" that one regiment
went Forward. Then the pipes scream.
ed out the charge the most awful
music to be heard by men who lave
i'*h'tnCerS against them, AID. with
iEeu ta*oncts and hand grcnaIes. they
<,'rme" the German trenches Have
there were many machine empIac.
mems AMI dugouts so stron,. tina, no
shell csu!d smash them
some were great vaults. concre,.d
chambers OF great depths. where many
iermans could find cover. but The
HiEhlanders went down into them
win great recklessncss two or three
men hinging themselves in the holes
where the Germans wers packed. bur
'heH we're scornful OF all such dan
gers. am told. by one Of their col
onels. that In bombing down the com
munication trenches they threw all
caution to the winds and while some
men went along the trenches. Others
ran along on top, under a heavy hrc.
cheering their comrades. and then
leapins down upon the enemy. The
Germans defended themselves with
stu6bornncss and courage, and even
as late as last night they still served
machine guns from one point from
which ii has been found dinicult to
disiodEe them. They are down In con
crete emplacements, from which they
can send out continual spatter OF,
bullets down the ruined streets. The
Highlanders had dug trenches across
the village, and had-what they call
HI of time. The Germans bar
ragged the front with progressive
lines of heavy shells yard by yard.
The casualties were heavy among the
officers and men. but the Highlanders
held on with wonderful spirit.