New Britain herald., 1917-04-11
Germans Swept on Their Feet.


 Germans Swept on Their Feet.
 From Staff Correspondent of the Associated Press, British Army Head quarters, Via London. April 1.-The speed and power of the British as sault in what will be known in his tory as the battle of Arras, seem to have thoroughly surprised the Ger mans. So much so in fact, that their usual retaliatory artillery fire has been absolutely negligible in the last two days. This Is partly due on account of the number of guns captured, to which must be added the number knocked out by the British artillery before the actual aasault began. It also is due to the fact that the Ger mans have been too busy trying to get their remaining guns away from iIfi- mediate danger to bother firing at the enemy. In a German artillery position east of Arras, known as Bat tery Valley, could be seen the remains of twenty-four field pieces today.
 A trip over the newly taken lines revealed condition of trenches closely approaching those recently evacuated by the Germans in the valley of the Somme. Many dugouts remained with only damaged DOT tals but the trenches, including all communication lines, have been un- mercifully battered about. So suc- cessful was the artillery barrier set up back of the German lines that some of the German prisoners re- ported they have been without food supplies for four days.
 The barbed wire entanglements pro- tecting the German positions were obliterated and only stray strands could be seen here and there on the first line. The thoroughness with which the wire cutting was carried out by the artillery was big factor in accelerating the speed of the in- fantry in the attack.
 British Troops Jubilant.
 In the zest of offensive warfare en- thusiasm could be felt in all parts o1 the British front today. Troops were swinging forward with bands playing gay tunes. The Scotch troops, behind their pipers, were particularly pic turesque, for not even the, vicissitudes of nearly three years of war have caused them to discard their kilts Out over the newly won ground air ships were scouting while beneath them were tanks at rest. The tanks had done splendidly throughout especially in attacking strongly wired points with which the artillery hat not dealt. Some German anti-tanl guns were captured. Machine gun: and trench mortars weer taken II such large numbers that they hav' not been counted.
 A cavalry corps had the unique dis 1f nfrr fine hOw1t gers. They charged these guns in thu open, killing several members of tn crews before the others surrendered A German motor transport column was captured intact. It had expecte' to meet German troops at certail point. but encountered British instead The drivers said that when they lief Douai there was no idea that the al tackers had reached so far.
 Thousands of Prisoners.
 Thousands of German prisoner could be seen along the roads today were wearing the great coal scuttl steel helmeet. Although the intens cold continues, only few had over coats. They are a docile lot an somewhat surprised their captors h carefully sorting themselves into thei respective units before being regi: tered and temporarily caged. Smalle cages were provided for the officer Four of the latter have been in
 furious rage ever since they wer taken. They were in a forward ot servation post. they said, and saw til infantry coming back from the front line but had no idea that the were actually retreating. Their ange ss (Continued On Tenth Page).