El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-12-08
BRITISH Guns
BATTER ENEMY
Germans Reoccupy Low
lying Area; British in
Hindenbrug Trenches.

British Headquarters in France,
/ Dec. S.-The Germans today continued
/ reoceuDying the devastated area be-
queathed to them by the British when
/ Cen By7s made his withdrawal from
the Cambria salient
It was an unsavory task that faced
the enemy. The Bourbon wood still
was reeSins with poisonous gas:
1 Graincourt, Anneux, Cantaiug. Noy-
elies. NarcoinE and Masnieres were a
waste OF ruins and the low lying
ground on which the Germans ap-
parenuy had planned 10 dig their
new trenches was overlooked by the
British positions.
Big Guns Batter Germans.
Into this desert the big guns were
hurting tons OF explosives and ma
chine gunners were whipping a con-
slant stream OF bullets into the ranks
OF the enemy sent forward prospect
ne IOr desirable points available for
defence. Meanwhile the major por-
Ion OF the British army was sitting
comfortably in their new home in
what was formerly the famous Hin
Oenourg trenches The German dug
outs and commune ati0n trenches were
all at the disposal Of the Tommies.
who look out with uuconcerned sat
islaction at the former occupants,
now laborlnE miSerably 10 build IN
Cergrouud habi-atious.
Advanced Patrols Fight.
tlsnunE continued today at many
polnts between advanced patrols OF
the British and the Germans. In the
region Of La EacQuerie the Germans
gave no indication that they had
abandoned their attempt to Gust the
British from the high ground just
north Of La Nacquerie village.
$4,000 Germans Employed.
II IS impossible, Of course. 10 give +.
an adequate estimate of the German I
troops employed in these operations. .
but IL is probably NOT far out Of the I
way 10 say thar the enemy had some
thing Ike 10000 men. Many re I
Gently had been brought from other I
fronts.
New Positions Very Strong.
The British Withdrawal leaves the /
British in fun possession Of the Hin
denburE line between the NOrd canal .
and lle1s-Plouich. East Of ViIlers-
Piouich the British line crosses the
systems and then runs southwest to-
ward GaucheWOod. which the British .
sun hold. The new positions are eX-
ceeCllgly strong and the Germans are T.
giving Indications that they intend 10
dig themselves in along the line q
respectful distance from lit BY a. p +
Relief From Gas Helmets.
Distinct satisfaction was felt along
the British front today at the success /
OF the retirement in the Cambria sec
tor. The world viii never know the F.
full story Of the heroIsm displayed
by Cen byng's men I'm holding Bourbon
wood, fighting and working day ana
night In gas helmets Naturally the
reliels were frequent. but even unde. .
these conditions IL was exceedingly
trying 10 work with the face enclosed
In the air tight head piece. probably
having about the same effect as
Divers helmet
V OCd Full OF Fumes.
The Germans have been losing
heavily in men ever since they started
10 follow the British retirement They
now are suffering what the British
night have suffered had the Germans
discovered that the retirement was
impending and launched an attack
10 an Opporrune time. The British
ear guards were withdrawn in sec
ions leaving the enemy puzzled. and
he constant artiilcry and rifle fire
Il the British. together with their
latrol assaults, confused the enemy
every British gun and every piece y
INN unlrlon was removed safely.
After the main body OF troops had
been Withdrawn n few hardy Tom
MES who had been left behind blew
ID the bridges over the Nord canal.