Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-08-31

Strengthening their line and drawing
generally closer to the Drocourt-
Queant defenses of the enemy
Counter attacks have been launched
on various parts of the battle front
but none of them seems to- have gain
ed anything for the enemy. A major
ity of them have been completely
broken up by the hail of bullets from
machine guns and rifles before the
enemy reached the British positions
" In the north there apparently Is
lively activity at several places. The
British are reported to have made
considerable advances. A report has
just been received that Bailleul,
southwest Of Ypres. IS being shellcu
by the enemy. If this is correct it in
dicates that the Germans have with
drawn altogether from that important
town and that the British either are
entering Bailleul or will do so later.
Work Of Haig's Artillery
1t is time something was said of the
wonderful work in the Scarpe- -Somme
battle of the British artillery which
made possible the victories gained.
The Germans themselves testify to the
iterrible efficiency of the massed
British cannon. which in many cases
lstood wheel to wheel while pouring
death and destivdctton into tle Enemy.
knocking the will to fight out Of him
and blasting path for the infantry.
The prisoners all mention the ter
rifle barrages they have wthstood
land comment bitterly upon the thin
ness of their own counter barrages.
because the German heavies are al
ways being dragged rearward to save
them from capture. The German ar
tillery apparently had little faith in
the ability of the infantry to hold Off
the British attacks today.
The British barrages have fallen all
lalong the 'front.' ever moving for
ward, and they have come down on
masses of the enemy lying in what
ever shelter they could find, such as
shell craters old and new. and oil!
fallen-in trenches which cross and re-
cross this ground made barren even
of grass by years of war. Rarely
have the Germans had the protection
of dugouts. Even when they have
going in them often meant capture
for the British infantry and tanks q
nearly all times have been upon ther
so closely after the barrages lifted
that they have not had much time to
offer fight. even If they really de-
sired to.
Casualties Arc Large.
The casualties inflicted have been
larger because the gunners. advance
ing closely behind the infantry. have
had many opportunities on this ter
rain which alternately Is slightly roll
ing and flat. to lay on their weapons
with open sights and pour a rapid
fire OF steel into the boches. The ar Z
tillery has helped to increase prison.
ers by throwing out of gear all the
enemy rationing, The emptier a Ger
man stomach. the more doclle its
owner.
Still more has the artillery helped
to catch prisoners By dropping bar
RACES behind large groups. cutting OH
their retreat And all this fire has
had its effect in even more ways.
Prisoners who had recently been
| in Peronne said they saw great
many men whose NERVES had been
completely shattered. Peronne at the
time was being bombed from the ar
almost continuously One airplare
|hfter another was flying over IN rapid
succession, literally raining bombs on
the Germans.