Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-26
HUNS NEW NE HOD
OF FIGHTING TANKS
spray Machines With Liquid Fire,
Hoping to Roast Opcr-
ating Crews.
ATKINSON TELLS EXPERIENCE
Lance Corporal Gives Vivid Dcscrip-
ton Of Push" ut Passchendaele,
Where Juggcrnauts Played Iinpor-
tant Part i'll British Success.
Exclusive narrative by Lance Corporal
Atkinson.)

'tNCluSlSc narrative Dy Lance tOTpoTaI
Atkinson.)
LONDON, December 1o.-The follow
ing vivid story of the Passchcndoele
push" has been written by Lance Cor
poral Atkinson. who was one OF the
crew OF tank taking part In tho
hghtiny:
| am no stranger to the ways OF the
tanks. / was one of the FIRST men to
drive tank when they were brought
on tho Sommc last year, and i have
been gunner, driver observer in tanks
bince. have seen them at their best
and at their worst. but expert
ence OF tank warfare was SO exciting.
however. as that which befell me in
my last jaunt.
We made an early start and went
in. closely followed by the infantry.
was on observation duty most OF the
time, and had the finest panoramic view
OF mode,n war that have yet struck
With us were some west Yorkshire
mon. Their orders were to follow in
our wake and keep the Huns as busy
rs possible without mourning unneces.
snry losses.
II having occurred TO me that wa
might give Fritz biz of surprise
and at the same time put In good
HNEohc TOT our own sac. We sent the
old girl" forward as fast as she would
60. and got nicely in between the en-
envy and the village, from which sup
portinE troops coming out in
great numbers
How Fritz Fights Tanks.
TOO late! The enemy saw what we
were UP TO, and they made frantic
efforts TO avoid disaster. They brought
up Guns and liquid fire outft With
the latter they tried their old trick
OF spraying the tank in the hope Of
making II too hot for us. They had
JUS, settled down TO this work when
tho West Yorkshires decided to take
hand In the game.
The battalion advanced with fns
dash. and captured the cncmy's nre
outfit Quickly they turned II on the
battalion OF Huns. who had occupied
tho low ridge with the object OF de-
laying the advance OF other battalions
"f ours. The effect was astonishing.
The enemy came rushing out of their
shelters. like bees from an upturncd
hive. and made to get bach into the
Village
Tanks Pnrt of the "Shov."
That was where our part Of the
show began. We got astride the road
by which they had to retire. and we
pourcd in withering IRE that must
have made the Huns eau!rm. TO pull
themselves together the Huns now at
tackled the West Yorkshire men in
force, and ndto-hand struggle OF
unusual ferceness was then waged.
Tho enemy put in all their available
reserves and tried TO work round the
flank OF the Yorkshire men The
Tykcs Jus; held their ground and
waited until the Huns were at close
quarters. Then they let ny with
bombs and bullets, afterward. taking
L" the bayonet.
The enemy fought with unusual
courage, fing!ng themselves again and
again against our line. but they found
the Tykes more than a match for them.
Just when they were marrying them
most We went forward fun tilt. The
Huns held on until We ware close on
them. Then they began to waver.
We shot forward and headed them
Off before they could get clear.
The road by which they had to retire
was narrow, and there was no escape
cav the crowd OF horror-stricken
enemy fleeing in front OF us as fast
as their heavy packs would permit
them to 60. saw them gradually
sI7cken thclr pace
Vast 'orkshirea to the Rcscue.
We were overtakinE them, when
suddenly there was a sinking sensa
ton, as though We were descending
to the bowels OF the earth Then W.
stopped altogether
At first we could not make out what
was the matter, but later VIC solved
The mystery. We had run into a mud
match
enemy were greatly pleased with our
mtafortune. They came worrying along
and opened fire with 4 special type OF
light Gun designed 20 deal with tanks.
They threw forward fresh detochments
OF troops and soon had us surrounded
1t was rather hot.
We thought we were booked THROUGH
and simply lay there waiting for the
end. The enemy pressed closer md
closer
Suddenly there came diversion
Fierce rifle and machine gun fire broke
out behind MS. The enemy began TO
give way. We plugged them with the
last round OF our ammunition, and they
gradually fell back.
On Top of the Town.
We were now on top OF the village
and made for 1T at top speed. pen
pered all the way by bullets and shells.
We got right up to the trench running
round the village, and were soon
across. Behind the village. fierce rife
fire was heard. We got astride tho
trench and kept up fierce fire, which
had the effect OF keeping the enemy
TO their dugouts until the infantry ar
rived. Then we pushed on right into
the village. and found what was left
OF the main street occupied by the
enemy in force. They had a series of
cellars strongly held. and at every turn
we were fred on by light guns OF tho
type I have already mentioned.
1t was desperately warm work. Still
we got the upper hand forcing the
enemy back into their underground
1airs and keeping them there until the
infantry got up. When the Yorkshire