The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-26
SCENE OF CARNAGE
OVER WHOLE FRONT
AS BATTLE RACES


of divisions in this assault, which in
the early hours was held off by the Brit
ish gunners.
REFUGEES STREAM TO REAR
For the last four days French refugees
have been streaming back from the evac-
uated towns in large numbers. Every
where along the roads leading to the
front were to be met old men, women
and children, all trudging stoically be-
hind their horse drawn carts of house
hold furniture, or even packing q few
belongings in a bag on their backs.
It is possible today to give details of
that most important phase Of the battle
fought in the sector between Gouzeau-
court and ST. Quentin. The country here
was shrouded in mist Thursday morning,
and the Germans advanced without be-
ing seen. Strong forces of infantry flung
themselves against the British front line
and after a fierce struggle broke through
it at several places. They then con-
tinued, driving hard for Templeux, near
Hargicourt.
just in front of the former village were
quarrles in which the British had taken
up positions and here battle of great
ferocity was waged. The Germans re-
peatedly tried to take the quarries by
storm, but SO gallant was the defense Of
the comparatively small forces that the
attacking troops were unable to push
| their way through.
| While this struggle was in progress
the enemy flung five divisions against
the line in front Of Hargicourt and COM
PEELED the British to fall back from that
place. This automatically ended tho
struggle in the Templeux quarries and
the defenders fell back a little.
BRITISH AGAIN FALL BACK
| On Friday a fierce engagement was
waged about Leverguier, which the Ger
mans captured, but not until the British
| infantry. holding the place, had fought
to the last man and inflicted extremely
| heavy losses on the enemy. The British
| again fell back, this time to line
through Hervilly, just east of Roisel and
Vermand.
| The Germans captured Hervilly but the
British came back With the help of tanks
!
| the enemy to withdraw. The Germans
| however, in an attack farther down the
line, had forced the British line to swing
back, and the whole front of this sec.
tor was compelled tic give way, falling
back to the line of the Somme
| Every inch of ground was contested as
the British withdrew and some of the
| most magnificent work of the war was
done by the hardy troops who fought
the rear guard action and allowed TIE
main force to retire in an orderly ant
moderate manner.
4 The fighting southwest of Roisel was
| especially severe. On SATURDAY. Ire Ger.
mans were tired and there was no very
4 heavy fighting in this section. The en-
envy forces pushed forward to occupy The
evacuated territory. ana, as they came
they were deluged with shells by thu
British artillery.
No finer targets could have been OF
fered TO the defending artillerymen wh'
shot all day With open sights and GOV
cred the gsoundSin front of them Will
dead and dying.
i On Sunday the Germans advance
l'against the Somrle defenses, and, hav
ing pierced some of these, are seemingl,
! pushing their advantages to the full IL
the hope of overcoming all opposition
! to the detectives which they havE
planned.