The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1917-04-27
STORY OF FALL
OF why RIDGE
GERMANS CAME THROUGH TUN-
NEIlS AND HEMAED IN Al
TACKING FORCE.
STORY OF The BATTLE
Canadian Troops Display Great STRAIT
egg aud Hroisn In Meeting
Couns~ Attacks.

OTTAWA. April sl-Additicnsi de-
tails concerning the difficulties that
confronted the troops OF Canada in
their capture of vimy Ridge April
{ were disclosed in an official state
ment received from the Canadian
War Records Office in London. Es-
uecisl tribute IS paid 10 the troops
on the extreme left
AT $50 on Monday morning.
april g. the statement said. the
great attack was launched with ter
rife fire from our massed artillery.
our heaviest BON barded the enemy
positions on and beyond the ridge;
and trenches. dugouts emplacements
and roads we're smashed to useless
ness. An intense barrage Of shrap-
mel was laid along the front.
"Flurries of snow drifted over the
battlefield as the Canadians left
their jumping-off trenches. Behind
the rolling bsrrage the light was Vet
obscure enough to lessen the accu-
racy Of the German riAemen and
machine guuners.
Over Mine Crsters.
The first stage OF the advance
vas made over great mine craters,
thousands OF shell holes. in a vast
puddle of mud. crumbled trenches,
coils and hedges OF barbed wire. But
into and under the fire OF the enemy
The long lines OF infantry moved for
ward unbroken.
The troops on the extreme left
reached their goals only to find
themselves subjected to heavy close
range fire Of machine guns and
riHes.
To add to the situation tunnels
Of the hostile line over which we had
advanced new disgorged Germans
who promptly reoccupied their old
'front.' lie and opened fire on our
rear.
Troops on the extreme left fought
all day against the surrounding Ger
mans aad by 10 o'clock at night sue
ceeded ia disposing of the enemy in
their rear and capturing the major
portion OF the enemy trenches in
their center,
''Pinpie' in German Hands.
The Pimpie," to the north. re-
manned to the enemy. but by then
snow was falling heavily and it was
decided to consolidate the hard-won
gains The PiUple' would keep Tor
tomorrow
In the meantime the other troops
had fought forward to one line after
another. and rot without casualties.
Only q small percentage were fatal
however, end the majority Of wounds
were 0 minor character.
From the faii Of the Grst man
our battalion s,rc.cher bearers and
every uHt OF the Canadian Medical
Corps were On the alert. Tho work
Of the officer and men Of the Twin
ing Serpent was one OF splendid,
outstanding achievements OF this
great day.
ION the German second line the
troops Dire" breath and consolidated
their gains Prisoners were already
turryius TO our rear in hundreds
pathetical!y and often ludicrously
grateful 10 the fortunes Of war that
saved them alive for capture.
Move To Third Line.
"Tha barr,ge lifted aud the troops
on the rlgn. moved forward 10 the
German tairt line, then advanced
again for distance OF about 1900
yards
This .yaa .n several villages, Hin
No. l4o and number Of fortified
woods and -,,il the enemy surrender
I'd by hundreds and scuttled rear
ward 30 safety Their resistance
grew leeDtyr their hands more eager
70 ascend high above their heads at
each stage of our advance.
AT 1890 the snow ceased and the
sun sAoue h,iu!.y BY o'clock
every point iG the enemy's third line
Had been reached and secured Short
~ after this the Canadian corps
prisoners numbered there battalion
commanders, fifteen other officers
ana more than 5000 no1-commis-
stoned 4C.co.a and uen, With plenty
more ia Sigh, .a-tiag lor o.f cages