Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-08
WYTSCHAETE
Continued from Page One)

fury with which it was carried for
ward.
They had been completely dazed by the
most gigantic mining operation yet car
ried out in the world war. More than L.
100000 pounds Of high explosives had been
placed under the German forward posi-
lions during the past IL months and the
upheaval of score of separate mines
spread panic among the troops already
harassed as they were to the point Of dis
traction by seven days and nights of fire
from the greatest concentration of guns
on given front since the war began.
The battle of Arras had reached the ulti
mate in this respect, but today's bonn
bardment was carried out by % per cent.
more guns, especially guns of heavy cal
bre.
Thorn Removed
The Messines ridge has long been
thorn In the side of the British. They
were driven from it in those perilous days
OF october, 1914, when with weak lines
and virtually no artillery they bravely
but forlornly attempted to hold this point
Of vantage.
II all of today's gains are held the
pressure on poor old Ypres, which has re-
sisted every effort of the Germans, will
be effectually relieved Not much ia left
OF Ypres but bits of crumblins walls and
brick dust, but the British have held 1t
as the last important landmark which
survived in the little kingdom overrun
by the Germans in their mad dash
against France.
Inc Messines ridge has been regarded
as sort of key position to all the north
ern sector Of the western front. and in
that way more important than Vimy
ridge itself, although only about half as
high. The remainder of the country
about Messnes is so fiat that this sIopine
ridge, which attains a maximum height
OF only 20 metres, commands the country
| for miles around and affords it's posses
sor that great military advantage-direct
observation.
Attack at Dawn
The British obscured that observation
this morning with one Of the most effec-
tive smoke barriers ever set up. The
attack came at dawn with the fun moon
still high in the heavens Mine explo-
sions were the signals for the turning
on Of all the guns which were employed
In dropping a curtain of fire that swept
before the British attacking units. Mean
while other guns were hurting high ex-
splosive shells against all the German
communications. while still others were
spraying the German batteries with a
deluge of gas shells
as the result of this artillery co-opera-
ton the German guns were effectively ST.
fenced during the initial stages of the at
tack and the British casualties were con-
sequently light. 1t was not long after the
battle started that Messines village was
reported captured Then came word that
the Hospice of Lenfer and Zareetia had
fallen and that Wytschaete, In the very
nose OF the German salient just south Of
the Ypres salient, was being surrounded.
Important trench positions were taken all
the way from Observatory ridge, south
east OF Ypres, to Pioegsteert wood north
of Armientieres. One Of the most for
the British fire had all but obliteratsd.
Other positions taken were known as tho
"Ungodly Trench" and "Schnitzel Farms"
and Battle Wood" The tanks were IN
the thick of tho fighting this morning
and from all accounts were doing SPLEEN
did. II ungraceful work. The troops
fighting today were English. Irish, New
Zealanders and Australians.
7 Having suspected that there would be
an offensive near Ypres. the Germans had
been rushing guns and new divisions to
this front during the past two weeks.
Orders that were captured had urged the
men to hold against the British at all
costs.