The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04

LONDON Dec 4-Forty divisions |
of British and German troops, or SOO,- |
600 men, supported by formidable ar
rays of artillery on both sides, are at
grips on the 18 mile Cambrai front
between Mouevres and Vendhuile.
The fiery tides of battle which have
been surging back and forth across
this field since the British drive open
ed two weeks ago today have claimed
an enormous number of dead and the
ground is still covered with the bodies
of men that fell in the early stages or
the fighting. So intense has been the
artillery and machine gun fire by day
and by night that the burial squads
could not venture forth.
The Germans have continued to
pound both sides of the Cambria sa-
lient, but with the exception of
slight dent made on the southern side
in the Marcoing-La Vacquerie sector
the British lines have remained intact
during the past "a hours.
The Germans fighting with great
fury continue to hold their position
and the importance they attach to this
part of their front is shown by the fact
that Field Marshal Won Hindenburg,
chief of staff of the German army has
gone to western headquarters to give
his personal direction to the counter
HtS -
offensive.
/Prisoners taken by the British in
Ihis battle show that Germany is call
ing upon her youth Many of the
prisoners are mere boys. Some Of
the prisoners are members of the 1919
class, who were called to the colors
two years in advance of their regular
schedule The captives said that the
1920 class is being called up and are
1I fnr
winter.
There are indications that Germany
may take advantage of the fighting at
\Cambrai to try for a decisive stroke.
CSsrmany has been watching for such
a chance. That is proved by the tact
that the German high command was
holding cavalry in readiness for fight
ing in the open.
The battle of Cambrai will go down
in history as one of the unique en-
gagements of the world conflict.
Both the direct drive with which
General Sir Julian Byng opened the
action on November 20 and the count
er drive of the Germans ten days later
we're begun with surprise attacks.
First the British took the Germans
by surprise by launching Tank
offensive" without artillery prepara-
tion. Then the Germans suddenly be-
gan an encircling movement when
caught the British off their guard.
Fresh troops are being thrown into
moving up reinforcements of men ana
guns. Already there is an immense
number of cannon in action, the num-
ber running into the thousands. Thelr
roar is incessant all along the front.
ROME, Dec. 4.-The great battle OF
the Piave, which began three weeks
ago today and by which the Germans
hoped to crush the Italian armies and
overrun all of northern Italy, has de
veloped into an absolute deadlock
II Even a lull has settled down upon
Ihe intense artillery duelling in some
sectors it was stated in dispatches
from the front today.
Considerable activity was reported
from the Delta of the Piave river
where it flows into the Adriatic. II
addition to the reciprocal cannonadini
there was some vague fighting be
tween patrols and raiding parties.
- British monitors lying in the Gull
Nj sseice are keeping the Austro
GesEian positions under constant fire
The accuracy of the British gunfir'
has proved very destructive. Three
bridges which the Austrians were
xsing for the transport of supplies
across the delta were destroyed b,
direct hits at $4,000 yards.