The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-09-13
NEED Il: ] ] FAST WORK
IN TRENCH ! N RAIDS !
English Expert Tells Of the Sud-
den Assaults orEver- ALERT
Germans. -
NEW SCIENCE IS DEVELOPED
Purpose Is to Shake the Morale Of tho
Enemy and Make Him Uncertain
!. I. 4. 3. % to the Next Object Of
y NJ Attack.

l =
I London.-The trench raid, one OF
the developments Of the European war
is the subject of an official interview
with British officer, which has been
approved by the British press bureau
The narrative of this officer Is of
particular interest at this time when
the Americans are soon to 90 into the
trenches to be called upon to carry
out, among other things, just such
raids as are here described: s'
The trench raid is made for the
purpose of shaking the enemy's NOR
ole, inflicting losses upon his person.
mel and destruction upon his works,
and capturing prisoners and docu.
fncnts that may reveal his condition
and intentions. Carried out chiefly at
night, at frequent intervals and at
many places, it exercises direst effect
upon the enemy's nerves. Since 1916
its constant practice has been the pol.
icy Of the British command. Cap
stured German letters bear ample wit
ness to its efficacy. We will attempt
Is sketch q simple form Of such a
raid: y j 70 %1=@ G'''s' g,t..
"For some days previously the field
artillery has been methodically cut.
ting lanes through the enemy's wire at
many points. An attack may or may
not be pushed through these lanes.
The enemy cannot be sure. In any
case he cannot decide which of the
points of passage will be used. Pune.
tually ut zero hour the artillery hurls
q barrage on the enemy's support and
reserve trenches, while an inferno Of
explosions breaks out all along the
line of trench to be assaulted
bombardmcnt of Stokes mortar and
trench howitzer batteries posted in or
near our front line. Under cover Of
this bombardment the raiding force
rushes the intervening space.
Va How, the Raid Begins. -
'"'This raiding force is organized in
squads Of eight men and one noncom-
missioned officer. In each squad are
two bomb.throwers, two bayonet men,
two rifle bombers and two ammunition
carriers, who are also reserve throw.
ers. Each squad has its objective
clearly assigned to it prior to the at
tack. In a smother of smoke the raid
crs leap into the trench. Flames shoot
up, shedding a CHASTITY glare. High
among them the red signal rockets Of
the Germans are drifting across the
night, but the barrage they summon
comes too late. To right and left, as
detailed, the squads turn along the
trench--now probably broken-walled
ditch filled with loose earth, blocked
by wrecked trayerses, strewn with
sand bags and the bodies of men. In
front, peering round the traverses, dart
ing forward, keeping the survivors of
the enemy on the run, are the two
bayonct men Of the squad. Immedi-
ately behind them is the first throw.
err his, acolyte the carrier following
close. Then follow the officer, the
noncominissioned officer in charge Of
the squad. Behind them is rife
bomber, ready if necessary to fire his
grenades in advance of the bayonet
men. In the rear of him are the 9th.
er thrower, his carrier and the other
rifle bomber. s
"The ideal aimed ut is to so press
upon the enemy that he cannot dare
to stand-our bayonet men arc upon
him ere he can dare to throw or shoot.
But there comes time when the en-
envy MISUNDERSTANDING has assem-
Died itself-behind a barricade If pos.
sible. One after another their bombs
whizz through the air, burst in a VI
cious defamation and choking smoke.
The progress Of the raitling party Is
checked. Spaced out along the trench,
each man, if possible at the corner
of traverse Tor the better lodging
of bomb, is engaged in contest
where, though the target cannot be
seen, victory isNto the side that throws
-
1T is essential that the fight should
not degenerate into mere bombing
duel. The officer gives an order and
the rifle-bomber, the sixth man down
the file, opens. fire well down the
trench, outranging the hand-thrower.
A few seconds of vivid flashes, Of Vi.