New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-24
Only Twenty Men Killed
in Great Machines on First
Day; Charged Through
Villages and Swarmed
Over Great Territory
Try The Associated Press

BRITISH ARMY HEADQO AKI Eho
IN FRANCE, Nov. 22.-The impression
which existed in the minds of many
soldiers that the British tanks were
freaks of little value as instruments
of war is being wiped out on account
of the achievements Of the great army
of these mighty engines which on
Tuesday morning broke through the
rain Hindenburg line and carried the
war miles into enemy territory.
The work which the tanks did on
that first day and have been doing
ever since is one Of the most striking
features Of the war. Infantry, artil-
lery and cavalry all played their part,
but the tanks drove the entering
wedge without which this triumph
probably would have been impossible.
In few hours they tore to shreds
lines Of barbed wire the demolition Of
which by a concentration of artillery
would have required many days. Fur
thermore, their employment made pos
sible the arrangement Of the secret
attack, which would have been out OF
the question had the artillery been
brought into play.
The tanks have demonstrated fully
their power in saving the lives OF men
and in conserving ammunition. he
casualties among the infantry which
followed the tanks into action were
exceedingly light. Two battalions, for
instance. had only one casualty each.
and another suffered the loss Of only
three men.
Few Casualties Among Tank Crews
The casualties among the crews OF
the tanks also were very light on the
opening day, which is the only one for
which reports have thus far been re-
ceived. There were several hundred
tanks. and out of all the men who went
forward in them il appears that less
than twenty were killed and less than
one hundred wounded. Many Of these
casualties were due to the fact that
men left the tanks to perform some
work in the open, where they came
under the fire of snipers.
The performance of the tanks was
the more remarkable because there
was only a short time to prepare for
their use. Some of the tanks were
veterans, but many had never been IN
an engagement before, and the crews
lacked actual fighting experience.
Moreover, il was necessary to train the
infantry to cooperate with them. All
this was accomplished in a very few
weeks.
In addition. a great amount Of work
was done to get the tanks into posi-
ton and bring forward their fuel.
Many hundred tons Of petrol were
brought Up secretly and stored pend
ing the attack. II was done so quietly
that few soldiers in the territory in
volved knew what was proceeding.
The advance of the tanks, with their
general leading the way in the mont
tor Aging his flag, was the most i'm
pressve sight imaginable. For miles
they were lined up along the British
front. and when they started forward
it was like great ceremonial parade.
Back OF them came the infantry, giving
the final touch TO the picture.
Tanks have been engaged in some
bitter fighting since they entered
enemy territory. They crushed their
way through barbed wire easily, tear
ing great gaps for the infantry, and
il was not until they had made con-
siderable advance that strong resist
ance was encountered.
Tanks Charge Big Guns
The stiffest fighting was at Lateau
Wood, south of Masnieres. There the
tanks engaged a number Of German
field and heavy guns and won the day
against them. One tank deliberately
charged a 5.9-inch gun and cleaned out
its crew with its machine guns.
Cantsing fell before one tank which
never had seen action until that time.
II charged into the village, making it
untenable by the vigorous action Of it's
guns. Twelve tanks lod the way into
Marcoing. Their crews previously had
studied maps and been assigned posts,
and the tanks went about the bushes.
methodically, each one taking up the
position designated. These twelve NOV
able forts completely dominated the
place.
At Ribecourt the tanks arrived just
as the Germans were sitting down to
breakfast The crews of the tanks got
their morning meal from the food pre-
pared for the enemy.
These are not the only places which
tanks assisted in taking. They have
been swarming over the whole great
territory annexed by the British, and
when the full story Of their exploits
is told it will make remarkable his
tory
Az last the British and Germans are
at grips on comparatively open ground
and some Of the fercest hand fighting
Of the war has been going on. The
enemy troops have been putting every
ounce Of their strength into an at
tempt TO stem the rising tide.
Cripples Thrown Into Line
Troops have been pulled away from
other points and rushed to the Cam