Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-04

mans offered desperate resistance.
Since the battle OF Arras began, on
Easter Monday. the Germans have con-
centratcd great numbers Of guns OPP
positc the British, and lately they have
been firing with almost reckless ex-
travagance. Much Of the shooting has
been absolutely blind. since the British
took all the high ridges. the Germans
being unable to get more than momen-
tary observation with airplunes and
balloons.
barrage fire, which swept like a great
front of the attacking troops. was mot
by aifurious defensive curtain of fire.
and for half an hour or more the ar
tillery display was one of the most
wonderful seen during the war. At
the north line the Canadian troops. who
occupied ArleuX several days ego.
pushed forward and took Fresnoy.
Arleux and Fresnoy had been
awathed about with great defensive
works. and numberless loops Of barbed
wire. The Fresnoy garrison fought
with great bitterness. and it was not
until the Canadians had virtually sur
rounded the village that the survivors
cut off within. surrendered. The num-
her Of prisoners taken here was 200
men and seven officers. One OF the
officers spoke excellent English. and
as n Canadian officer was conducting
him to the rear. he asked to see the
position from which the Germans were
driven during the storming OF Nimy
ridge OH April .. He marveled at the
situation. and asked what Canadian
division took the particular position he
saw. When told 1t was the same
division which captured him a, FIRES
noy to-day. he said he could not
believe it. He could not believe that
any divisions in the Nimy fight would
be able to go on now, and shook his
head incredulously when told that all
the divisions were still at their battle
strength.
GERMAN PLANS UPSET
@BT BRITISH ATTACK
This officer asserted that the morale
of the troops opposite the British front
was better than during the battle of
the Somme. He said that the German
soldiers now see their airplanes about.
They also seem to be getting sorely
needed artillery support during the
last three weeks. The officer declared
the Germans believe their artillery
equal to any. Oddly enough, German
shells began to pitch about tho pris-
oners' COLLECTING station, and the Ger
mans had TO be moved TO n safer spot
The prisoners taken at Frcsnoy We're
had come into the Frcsnoy trenches
last night for q great German counter
attack on .\rleux this morning. Need
less to say, their plans were bit up
set by the British attack.
Good progress was made east OF
C;uemappc. along the Arras Cambria
poad, and British troops. pushing
through Chcrisy. south of that road.
swept several hundred yards beyond
their first objective There was heavy
lighting about Fontaine-le les Croisilles
and Bullecourt. i'm which the Austria
lians took part.
There was also more lighting about
Oppy. To which tho Germans are still
clinging. The wood west Of this viii
laEe is very dense. and is fairly -brist-
ling with machine guns some of Which
have been mounted in the trees. This
wood also is one continuous angle Of
barbcd wire stretched from tree to
tree. The Germans arc holding dcs-
pcrately 10 two woods east of Monchy-
lc-PreuN. known the Bots -du Sart
and Rois -du Vert and have connected
the two with elaborate trenches.
Heavy countcrattackS we're attempt
cd time and time again during the day
and from every section Of the battle
front come echoes of the ncvcr-ccas-
ing artillery duel.