Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-04
IN STEEL ARMOR
Germans Fight AS in
Middle Ages
Wonderful Plan and Initiative Of the
Allied Forces Shown in Flanders
Fighting

With the British Army in France and
Belgium. Aug. Shy the Associated
Press).-The Allied troops along the new
battle front today were leading a semi
aquatic existence. splashing about in wa
teriogged trenches and carrying out con-
solidating operations over inhospita BILE
and marsh-like ground into which they
sank at every step. Meantime the rain.
which began TO fall late Tuesday. contin-
ued in steady downpour, adding to the
discomforts and difficulties Of the situa-
ton and giving little hope that even
should the storm end Immediately the sun
could dry out the earth sufficiently to
render the movement of infantry and ar
tillery easy for several days
Had the Allies delayed their attack one
day more it is doubtful whether they
would have been able to achieve all the
detectives which they wrested from the
forces of Crown Prince Rupprecht Just
before the rain began.
The spirit of the troops. however. con-
tinues good and they now are in strong
positions along the new front from which
II will be difficult to dislodge them by
counter attacks which have been threat
ened at various points today. Stories
continue to arrive from the battlefield
showing the wonderful organization evil
denced by the British troops in Tues
days offensive and the fighting spirit
they exhibited. One incident OF tie pat-
tie related TODAY shows the plan and
initiative Of the troops sent against the
Germans.
Wonderful Allied Initiative
Between st. Julien and Frezenberg
was a section Of farm land some two
miles in width which presented eX-
traoidinary difficulties. The fields
. behind the trenches We're filled with
cement defenses ranging IN size II om
/ those able to contain two machine
guns to larger ones which took on the
characteristics of forts.
The British troops found little re-
+ sistance in the front line trenches for
! these virtually had been levelled by
! the terrific bombardment from the
British guns. Back of this line, how
ever, they encountered the concrete
! Notifications and not only faced a
steady stream of machine gun fire
! from all directions. but We're at the
mercy of sharp shooters concealed in
advantageous positions.
| To add to the difficulties most OF
the concrete was surrounded by ditch
es and the land about them was
marshy and hard to traverse. The
! British divided into sections and stalk
ed the German forts with bombs and
rifles. surrounding each in turn and
bombing il until the occupants We're
! killed or surrendered. The fighting
| here was severe, but the attacking
! troops did not waiver and continued
their work until they had swept be-
yond this fort studded field, leaving
nothing but ruins behind them
An interesting fact has been learn
ed-that at least part of the Ger
man infantry is now wearing steel
armor. which covers the chest and
stomach. This armor is in the form
! of a sheet Of steel which is attach
cd to the shoulders and gives the
wearer the appearance of just having
| stepped out of the Middle Ages. Spe-
cimens of the armor found on German
/ prisoners have been examined and
! found to be vulnerable TO rife fire. On
! the whole the armor seems a very un-
! satisfactory protection and its weight
renders the movements of man full
| ly accoutered most difficult.