American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-09-21
NEED FAST WORK
IN TRENCH RAIDS
English Expert Tells of the Sud-
den Assaults on Ever-AIert
Germans.
NEW SCIENCE is DEVELOPED
Purpose Is to Shake the Morale Of the
Enemy and Make Him Uncertain
as to the Next Object OF
Attack.

LondOn.-The trench raid, one OF
the developments of the European war,
Is the subject of an official interview
with "A British officer, which has been
approved by the British press bureau.
The narrative OF this officer is OF
particular Interest at this time when
the Americans are soon to go Into the
trenches TO be called upon to carry
out, among other things, just such
raids as are here described.
1.-THE trench raid is made for the
purpose Of shaking the enemy's NOR
ale. infilcting losses upon his person
mel and destruction upon his works,
and capturing prisoners and docu-
ments that may reveal his condition
and intentions. Carried out chiefly at
night. at frequent intervals and at
many places, IL exercises direst effect
upon the enemy's nerves. Since 1915
its constant practice has been the pol
icy OF the British command. Cap
tured German letters bear ample wit
ness to Its efficacy. We will attempt
to sketch a simple form Of such a
raid.
EOA oOhnt huJn previously tht y
artillery has been m~ethodically cut
ting lanes through the enemy's wire at
many points. An attack may or may
not be pushed through these lanes.
The enemy cannot be sure. In any
case he cannot decide which OF the
points OF passage will be used. Pune
tually at zero hour the artillery hurls
q barrage on the enemy's support and
reserve trenches, while an inferno Of
explosions breaks out all along the
line of trench to be assaulted-the
bo~mbardment Of Stokes mortar and
trench howitzer batteries posted In or
near our front line. Under cover Of
this bombardment the raidlng force
rushes the intervening space.
How the Raid Begins.
'This raidlng force Is organized In
squads of eight men and one noncom-
mlssloned officer. In each squad are
two bomb-throwers, two bayonet men.
two rifle bombers and two ammunition
carriers, who are also reserve throw
ers. Each squad has Its objective
clearly assigned to II prior to the at
tack. In IA smother of smoke the raid
ers leap into the trench. Flames shoot
up. shedding n CHASTITY glare. High
among them the red signal rockets of
the Germans are drifting across the
night, but the barrage they summon
comes too late. To right and left, as
detailed, the squads turn along the
trcnch-now probably n brOken-walled
ditch filled with loose earth, blocked
by wrecked traverses. strewn with
sand bags and the bodies of men. In
front. peering round the traverses, dart
Ing forward. keeping the survivors of
the enemy on the run, are the two
bayOnet men Of the squad. Immedi-
Rtely behind them Is the first throw
err his acolyte the carrier following
close. Then follow the officer, the
noncommlssioned officer In charge of
the squad. Behind them Is a rife
bomber, ready II necessary TO fire his
grenades In advance of the bayonet
men. In the rear OF him are the 9TH
er thrower. his carrier and the other
rifle bomber.
The ideal aimed at Is to so press
upon the enemy that he cannot dare
to stand-our bayOnet men are upon
him ere he can dare to throw or shoot.
But there comes a time when the en-
envy 'handgranatentrupp' has assem-