Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-25

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know either OF tho cavalry. who had
advanced to threaten their flank and
| rear. They were about 800 yards from
Us before they saw. It was then too
late. Our tank was on TO them spit
! ting fire into them fast as our guns
would work. and shooting the Huns
down in patches. Panic laid hold OF
them. They fed in the direction they
had como from
when they had gone few score
yards, they thought they might slacken
the PACE OF their retirement. but at
that moment another tank appeared
further along the road TO head them
or, and our cavalry detachment also
rode up on the scene. The enemy were
properly caught, and they were shot
down by the tank guns and sabered
by the horsemen. Practically all OF
> that detachment OF Huns got wiped
out
The hardest fighting at that point
was on the part OF the ridge directly
overlooking the village itself In tho
FIRST rush some OF our Highland troops.
had won their way into this part OF
the ridge, but very shortly afterwards
were almost surrounded by a sudden
recovery OF the enemy. and the pushing
forward of strong attacking forces
supported by heavy guns
SAVING THE GORDONS
AFTER DESPERATE ATTAC OK
The enemy launched attack after
attack, and gradually succeeded in cut
tinS OF the Highlandcrs from their sup
ports. Twice in succession the trenches
captured were rushed, and at the sec
ond time the Highlandcrs were forced
out Of them. They were recovered
almost Immediately by a brilliant
charge. and the HiEhianders beat back
two moro attacks.
The enemy were massing Tor another
trial Of strength. meant TO be final
when the Cay Gordons" came on the
scene. our orders were to establish
ourselves on the ridge with the High
ianders. and there hold until supports
moving forward through difficult
ground were able TO reach us. The
enemy At that moment had opened an
unusually heavy fire from their big
guns. and il seemed almost hopeless to
get through.
We moved forward. nevertheless. and
after many exciting adventures, stick
ing fast in ditch, and remaining
there under direct fire for some time,
we reached the ridge. Our arrival gave
new hope TO the sorely pressed gar
rison of Highlandcrs, and the message
We brought them gave courage to hold
on 70 the bitter end. The enemy con-
centrated heavy fire on US from that
moment, and many OF the shells burst
quite close. without. however, doing
much damage.
Moving forward TO take up new
position, our tank ran into mud bank,
and there got stuck fast The enemy
thought they had us now. They moved
up their antitank guns. and started
10 pound US at very close range. From
the tanks tho enemy also pressed for
ward infantry and machine-Eun de-
tachments, until they had formed Z
ring around us.
We maintained heavy fire from our
guns while the crew were trying TO
right the Cay Gordons" and at last
we got her clear. To do so, however.
1T was necessary that two OF the crew
should venture outside and make a
slight repair. This they did. working
under fire from the enemy snipers all
the time. We could hear the bullets
striking against the side Of the tank
all the time. and the wonder is that
either OF those TWO men lvsi through
1t. They were both hit, but fortunate
~ not seriously, and got inside with
out delay when the repair was made.
CAPTURED THE RIDGE
WHEN ENEMY MASSED
The tank then pushed forward, and
opened fire on the enemy, who were
massing for another rush against the
ridge The enemy guns were moved
TO attack us from a new point, and
for while gave us rough time but
we managed TO come through all right,
and finally beat back all attacks on the
, ridge.
The Hishlandcra had by that time
completed their task OF strengthening
tho position, and were confident OF
holding it against all corners over
the plain came fresh troops and more
tanks fianked by strong cavalry
screens, and very soon the enemy
were falling hack in all directions.
The Naturalization Of Highlandcrs
were relieved that night, and from
that time the possession OF the ridge
was left to us.
The enemy made repeated attempts
10 open new attacks. but each time
they were thwarted by our tanks and
cavalry. which harassed the Huns
without ceasing. and broke up their
attacking columns before they were
able TO get under way. The only
really serious enemy effort to regain
tho ridge took place that night and
was frustrated under dramatic circum
stances. We Got wind of what was
on, and squadron OF tanks moved for
ward under cover OF darkness TO a
poin; from which we were able to
stop any move the Huns might make.
We had barely been in position i've
minutes before the first OF the Huns
appeared, and we opened fire on them.
They were thrown into great confu-
sion and fell back, causing confusion
TO spread 10 tho troops in the rear
When the confusion was at it's
height. the enemy guns opened fire un-
der the impression that they were
Smelling us. but most of the shells
fell among their own troops At one
point of this retreat in disorder our
cavalry got we'll home. and horse artil-
iery also shelled the enemy with great
effect.
Towards morning the enemy made
new attacks. and tried TO cut off our
cavalry as they fell hack. our tanks
moved up in support OF the horsemcn,
and for some time the fight ragged with
herceness The enemy had by then
got their range bit better. and tho
tanks were shelled effectively for a
time. However. we did good work
among the attacking Huns and grad
ually forced them to fall back Then
we retired. our retirement being COW
cred by strong cavalry screens
Members OF the crews of other tanks
have related their experiences to me.
one OF the strangest concerned a Young
pilot. who for nine days and nights;
before the surprise at dawn had been
working to get his cnginc right to
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