The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-11-29
SMASH HINDENBURG LINE
ALLIES MAKE GREATEST MOVE
SINCE WAR BEGAN.
Fhousands of Prisoners Captured.
Tanks Lead Way Through Wire
Entanglements and Trenches.

British Headquarters in France,
Nov. 20.-The redoubtable linden
burg line in the Cambria sector was
smashed in many places today by the
great force of the British tanks, and
this afternoon the infantry, which fol-
lowed through the gaps, are still bat
Ting their way through.
The surprise attack was launched
at dawn, over a wide front. In the
first few hours its progress was mark
ed with evident success.
The resistance offered by the Ger
mans this morning was negilible and
by noon British pioneers already were
at work laying roads across the old
front line trenches, while prisoners
were coming in from all directions.
The casualties of the attacking forces
thus far have been light. Great num-
berg of German dead lay before the
original Hindenburg trenches, where
the bewildered enemy, taken una
wares. made a half-hearted attempt
to stem the onrushing Britons.
The advance of the British army
against the Germans was continuing
this afternoon. The towns of Mas
rieres, Marconing, Ribecourt, Havin-
court, Graincourt and Flesquires all
we're behind the British advancing
line and the calvary, which is CO.
operating with the tanks and render
ing invaluable service, was drawing
in toward the Bourbon wood, west of
Cambria.
Without Artillery.
The battle was an Innovation for the
Western front, for it was begun with
out any preliminary artillery work.
Upon the army tanks rested the re-
sponsibility for victory or defeat, and
they fulfilled all expectations. The
iron giants went through the tre-
mendous lines of barbed wire en-
tanglements in front of the main
Hindenburg positions, and on over
the trenches as though they were on
parade.
The tanks started forward at 6:2O
o'clock, and by 1870 the British in
faptry. which had swarmed into the
hole made by the mighty engines, was
engaging the enemy in open fighting
along the Hindenburg support line
back of the main defences at many
points. Up to noon today there had
been no hard fighting, and the Ger
man artillery fire had been very weak
Surrendered Freely.
The Germans surrendered freely IN
numerous places, and several hundred
were brought in during the first few
hours of fighting.
Two attempted counter attacks
were smashed by the British artillery
in the early hours, one in tunne
trench near Bullecourt, the other al
Havincourt park, where one company
of Germans essayed an advance. The
tanks this afternoon, followed by in
fantry, were continuing their journey
into enemy territory.
Prisoners admit ruefully that the
attack was surprise to them; ane
caught many of them in their dug
outs. The secrecy with which the
British made their preparations was
one of the most striking features o.
the offensive. Guns, tanks and troops
were moved into the Cambrai sector
at night, and carefully hidden during
the day.
Calm Before Battle.
Up to the actual hour of the Brit
ish attack there were moments whe1
great stiffness reigned over the battle
front and it seemed impossible tha
within short time the line would be
a seething caldron. At $40 o'cloch
a long line of tanks, distributed ovel
a wide front, started forward. At the
same time, the British infantry or
either side of the land monitors made
threats at the German line. Withir
a few seconds the entire enemy from
for distance of many miles was f1am
ing with varigated signals, which call
ed frantically for help from the Ger
man gunners in the rear. Red, green
white and blue lights shot up il
every direction, and the rockets show
cred myriad of stars down through
the gloom, like a mammoth displa.
of fireworks.
Germans Dismayed.
The dismay of the Germans va
blazed across the Sly as clearly in thi
unforgettable whirlwind Of pyrotech
MICS as though their higher commant
had announced it officially. Thei