The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-06-08
FRENCH DARE MUCH
HOW HANDFULS OF THEM RAID
TRENCHES, TAKING PRISONERS.
Unusual Methods and Remarkable
Bravery Shown When Latins, With
Hand Grenades and Bombs, Surprise
TeutOns Hidden i'm Shelters.

French Front, May 27.-tCorrespond-
ence Of Associated Pressl-If the
morale" Of troops may be based on
the initiative they display in face Of the
enemy, then that of the French sol
diers at all points Of the front must be
regarded as excellent. Three years of
the severest kind of warfare has not
Jaded them. In fact, the spirit OF attack
has, IL anything, increased among them.
The recruits OF the younger classes
learn quickly to profit from the expe-
rience of their comrades who have be.
come veterans and past masters in the
art Of furnishing surprises to the enc
my and after their incorporation into
the fighting units in the trenches,
where they rapidly acquire the routine
OF continual watchfulness. they lose no
time in demonstrating their desire TO
carry out some act OF individual dar-
ing.
Living among them, as the writer has
done throughout the great operations
Of the Somme, in the Argonne, on the
Aisne, in Champagne, in Alsace and
around Verdun. one acquires an un-
bounded admiration for the unceasing
activity and virility Of the French sol
diers Of all branches Of the service.
Even during the intervals between
great attacks and battles, when il
would be expected they would be only
too eager to seek repose and relaxation
from the hardships and perils Of trench
life. there are always 10 be found dar-
ing men among them who voluntarily
go out towards the German lines in
search Of adventure always with the
hope Of bringing back some prisoners
or disturbing the enemy's plans.
Prisoners and Information.
one outlet for their overflowing ac-
tivity is the organization OF trench raids
in which only few men compose the
attacking force. In these minor az.
fairs. whose effect on the general stu
alton at the front is more important
than at first would appear, since they
harry the enemy and keep him con-
stantly guessing and worrying as to
what may follow. the French soldiers
have become expert, and they rarely
return TO their trenches without some
prisoners and some valuable information
as 70 conditions In the opposing lines
The commander Of the army is not
consulted as 10 the carrying out OF
these raids. Each colonel Of a regiment
has the final word as to whether his
men shall take the risk. and the colo
nels take good care not 10 discourage
their men from displaying their indi-
viduality.
The problem Of overcoming the net
work Of barbed wire protecting the
front lines OF the enemy's position pre-
scented difficulties at the beginning Of
the campaign, but artillery has now
acquired the mastery OF that obstacle,
and 'as a consequence the enemy no
longer finds himself in security behind
IL. All the French colonel wants 20
know. when a raid Is about 10 be under.
taken, is the hour at which Il Is intend.
ed 20 start. A few minutes suffice to
make penetration by resolute infantry.
men possible Sudden outbreaks OF ar.
tillery fire are so frequent that the en-
emy pays no more attention 10 them
than 10 return some shells. while the
troops manning his front trenches seek
shelter in their dugouts until the show.
er OF steel has stopped
How Captures Are Made.
The enemy's uncertainty as 10 what