The state herald., 1917-06-15

earth shook us II torn by great sels-
mic disturbance. II was not single
shock. The force of the explosion
actually set the earth rocking to and
fro, and under the Influence Of the
giant guns, which Immediately began
to roar from far and near, the trem-
bling continued Indefinitely. 1t was
$40 o'clock when this final terrific
bombardment began.
1t has seemed that the battle of the
Somme attained the ultimate in the
close assembly of war weapons, but
this sudden outpouring on Mcsslnes
ridge was beyond all calculation. The
lighter field guns far forward set up
perfect curtain fire, under which the
assaulting troops trudged confidently
to their allotted goals. Farther back
the deep-throated heavies began to
pour out torrents Of high explosive
shells on the German trenches and
communications, while still other guns
enough to win any ordinary battle
confined themselves solely to the task
Of deluglng German guns and gunners
in baths Of gas fired In shells Of ev-
cry conceivable callber.
The effect Of this counter battery
work was not appreciated until later
In the day, when the infantry sent
back word that their progress had
not been hampered by the enemy ar
tlllery and that their casualties
amounted to virtually nothing.
Enemy Signals for Help.
Great black observation balloons
had stolen skyward during the din of
the newly begun battle. In the wood
back of the windmill spring birds,
awakened by the deafening clamor
had begun to sing joyously. Like SO
many children who have come Into the
consciousness OF being In the midst of
the war, these birds regarded the ap-
condition of life.
The smoke of the giant mines ex-
ploded along the battle front mean
time rose In great, curling plumes to-
ward the sky and was punctuated by
red signals for help from the stricken
Germans In the front and support
lines. Never was the mir filled with
more frantic notices of danger The
entire horizon glowed with red balls
of fire sent up by the nervous Ger
mans.
More and more British airplanes be-
gan to make their appearance. One
flew over the lines, the flashes of the
guns being reflected brilliantly on Its
highly glazed wings.
Under this appalling fire trudged for
ward on the ten-mile front General
Plumer's army. At many places the
men found German troops utterly
dazed by the mine explosion and the
ordeal of the artillery fire.
First Taste Of New Warfare.
Many of these troops had but recent
iy come from Russia, where they had
spent is months and knew nothing of
what actual warfare was like ON the
western front. They had bolted at the
first mine explosion and had only been
gathered together In groups by their
nonconmlssIoned officers when the
British appeared out Of the smoke and
shells and made them prisoner.
They said they hnd been given TO
understand by their officers that the
British always killed their prisoners.
II was really pitlful In some Instances
to see the manner In which these pris-
oncrs cringed TO their captors.
As matter Of fact. the British SOL
dier. when the fighting Is done, is In
clined almost too strongly to treat the
German prisoners as pals. Some Of
the prisoners taken today had only
gone into the German lines last night
md had made their way forward un.
der calling fire and had lost heavily.
But the troops already In the line were
calling for relief In such n manner that
their appeals could not he denied.
Failed to Time Attack.
In view Of the fact that the attack
had been expected the German CON.
mnnders were endeavorIng TO get their
best units actually into the fighting
front. but had underestImnted when
the British would strike. The troops
In n strange line were utterly bewll.
t'rtu Nnesi tHe uttuch beSuH Hiu Ieii
easy prey to the advancing British.
The Irish. New Zcnlandcrs ana Aus.
trnllnns, who had been rehcarsed In
every detail Of ''the show" knew Just
what to do from the moment the word
to advance was given.
The battle was fur more visible dur
Ing the first uncertain moments than
later when the sun gradually burned
It's way through the eastern banks Of
clouds. by that time the smoke Of cx.
plodIng shells and the vnpors from the
binding bnrrngc, which hnd been part
Of the artillery duty, obscured the more
distant landscape TO such nm extent
that the roaring guns could not be seen
nj all. although the firing was almost
Mt ones feet. The brilliantly icaplne
shrapncl shells, breaking far above
ground. appeared through thick mist
only ms brief mud brilliant electric
sparks.