Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-04-08

British defenses. At 7.3O o'clock the
German infantry rushed forward in
heavy force. AS the Germans ad-
Nanced they were caught in a tor
nado of British artillery fire. which
plowed mercilessly through their
ranks and completely smashed them.
Further fighting occurred to-day
at Hangard wood. which has been
the scene of much cruel fighting in
the last few days. The British, in
me early hours, delivered counter
attacks, by which they forced the
enemy back somewhat and took a
few prisoners. According to the
latest reports, the British are hold
ing on to the western edge of this
road. In this connection it is noted
that the German prisoners have stat
ca that the enemy planned a strong
attack at Hangard wood to-day.
In Nasty Position
The German efforts to-day at Buc-
Guoy and yesterday near Serre were
combinations of their strenuous at
tempts to get themselves out of a
rasty position in which they find
themselves in this region.
At this point the Germans are hold
ing very sharp salient, which
bulges out into British territory
along line roughly represented by
Bucquoy IIebuterne. Colncamps,
Auchonvillers and Hamel. This sa-
lient is somewhat saucer-shaped, the
outer edge being on high ground.
Upon these elevations the British sat
down at the end of their retirement
and since then have successfully de-
fed the enemy to dislodge them.
Within the salient is an inhospit-
able zone which formed a part of
No Mans Land in the first battle of
the Somme. 1t is shell-torn and al
together it is an unpleasant place
over which to conduct operations.
Not. only is the ground bad. but the
whole sector is dominated by British
machine guns. which send never-end-
ing streams of bullets swirling down
into the enemy camps, which pre-
sent excellent targets.
If the Germans were to start the
second phase of their grand offensive
row and were forced to kick off,
from their present position in this
salient, they would encounter tre-
mendous difficulties IN maintaining
satis factory communications across
the desert which lies just back of
their front line. They need the high
,
before they can begin a big attack
so that they can get their guns for
ward. for otherwise the artillery
would be outdlstanced and everything
would depend upon the infantry.
Attack Is n Failure
1t was because of this situation
that attacks were made last Friday
by the Germans. Four more or less
fresh divisions were brought up for
this operation and a huge number or
guns were brought into oiay, espe-
cially over the back areas Consid-
cradle quantities of gas also were
thrown into the vicinity of Fonque-
villers. indicating that the Germans
did not intend to try to advance to
a great depth.
AT Bucquoy the Germans had some
success and got a footing in some
places, but their attack as q whole
was failure. The enemy casualties
were very heavy because of the DOM
mating positions held by British ma
chine gunners and ri1emen.
Rossignol wood was found filled
with German dead and the low-lying
ground in front of the ridges told
au awful story. 1t seemed certain
the Germans will try again to cap
ture the heights. for they cannot sit
where they are.
The British counterattacks at Ave-
luy wood, south of Mesnil, yesterday
were an entire success and the old
positions were returned. The men
who went through this fight declare
the Germans lost three killed to one
for the British. 1t was a desperate
dght The British storued the wood
after battling forward with machine
guns and rifles and then continued
the battle with hand grenades and
bombs. The Germans clung desper-
ately to their positions. but were
gradually forced to fall back. leav-
ing many. dead.