Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-05-04
Same Forces That Took Vimy
Ridge Add to LaufeIs by
Capturing Strongly Defend
ed FreSnOy, -.
GERMANS lNTERPOSE
OBSTINATE DEFENSE
Most Terrific Artillery Fire
PreCedeS Attack and Con-
tinues From Both Sides Dur
ing Bloody Fight.
;sv MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL ls.sso wiasI

tsT MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL lEtsso wiasl
From Staff Correspondent of the
Associated Press, British Headquar-
ters in France, May (via London.
1912 p. mD.-After four days OF
calm, fighting on large scale was re-
sumed along wide front today and
more important strategic points fell
into British hands, including the VIII
lage Of Fresnoy, several miles north
Of the Scarpe river and the ground
about Cherisy. some distance south of
that somewhat insignificant stream.
Between Fontaine- Les -Croisilles and
about 500 yards more OF
the original Hindenburg line, which
ran from Queant in northwesterly
election toward Arras was penetrat-
- and rolled up. This fighting was
'uou o the Queant- -Hindenburg new
enc rgtucy trench system, extending
north from there to Drocourt. Work
1n this new system is proceeding with
Few sh haste, according to prisonera
and the stubborn resistance the Ger
mans now are offering is to prevent
the necessity of their occupying the
new line before 1t is ready for pro-
onged defensive action.
Eighteen Miles OF Battle
Today's range of. operations covered
eighteen miles, although the
pressure was not exerted over this en-
ire front, There was artillery activity
At all points. however, and the strong
or German positions were fairly del
lged with shells
The fighting began Just before
dawn and continued tAfeus day
,f glorious sunshine. The troopslmov-
ing up in support Oh those actually
in the firing line passed along roads
whose overhanging trees were tipped
with the first fresh grsen leaves of
he renewed life of spring; The fields
back of the battle front, were yellow
with cowslips and dandelions; birds
we're singing joyous. full-throated mel
,dies. A warm east Wind stirred up
great clouds of dust and the men were
white with fine chalk powder blown
rom the roads. -
Desolation Everywhere.
AS the marching coltimns reached
he battle zone, however, all was
changed. The trees became only
,aunt. black skeletons; the once fair
ield had been pitted and SCARED and
under the shell fire until the
,arth itself was killed by the poison
,us blasts, and no living thing could
row thereon even under this first
warm impulse of the new season. The
,nly melodies were deep-throated
oars of cannon, the whine OF shells
md the whistle of bullets.
Under the soft light of May moon
he British guns roared the artillery
PREPARATION at intervals during the
light. but 1t was not until the lunar
ays had disappeared behind the west
IN horizon that the real lombard
nent began. In its intensified form 1t
vas of short duration. Then the guns
cttled into barrage work as the troops
tole out from their forward trenches
# shallow shelters hastily dug in. the
round during the more recent ad-
ances. '-F
1t was still half an hour before
avn. and the morning n1ists gave q
eeper density to the darkness.
Heavy German Concentration.
There was stiff fighting from the
cry first, and everywhere along the
ne the Germans offered desperate re-
istance. Since the battle Of Arras
egan on Easter Monday the, Germans
ave concentrated great numbers OF
uns opposite the British, ana lately
hey have been firing with almost
eckless extravaganza. Much, of the
hooting has been absolutely blind
nce the British took all the high
idges. the Germans being unable to
ct moro than momentary observation
nth airplanes and balloons
This morning the British creeping
arrage fire, which swept like a great
.ellis work of exploding shells In
.ont of the attacking troops. wns met
y furious defensive curtain of fire.
nd for half an hour or more the ar
llery display was one of the most
onderful seen during the ~Ar. At
le north OF the line the Canadian
oops, who occupied Arieuz several
Avs ago. pushed forward ana took (,
rcsnoy. FIJI" -~
hrieux and Fresnoy had been =
Wathod about with great defensive
'orbs and numberless loops of barbed
ire.
Garrison Surrenders.
The Fresnoy garrison fought with
reat bitterness, and 1t was not until
he Canadians had virtually surround
the village that the survivors. cut
If. surrendered. The number OF prls-
ners aiken here was 200 men And
even officers. One of the officers
poke excellent English and as q Ca
adian officer was conducting him to
ne rear he asked to see the positions
rom which the Germans were driven
uring the storming Of Vimy ridge on
pril 9. He marvelled at tho situation
hich captured him at Fresnoy today
e laughed and said he could not be-
eve that any divisions in the viufy
ght would be able to go on now, and
hook his head incredulopsly when