Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-16
THRILLING WAR STORY
OF FLAME AND SHRAPNEL
Writer Depicts the Attack in tho
Great Battle OF the
SomInc.
MEN ALL TIRED AND WORN
Net They Arc Always Ready TO Re-
turn and Take Up the Battle
Against TeutonS to Make World
Safe for Democracy.
international News Rureau.l


hatants first hand stories of the great
battle now raging with unparalleled
ferccncssD
The men who have come down the
line after passing through tho fiery
furnace look war worn and weary. but
they are far from downhcarted.
1t is not yet possible TO give full
Justice TO the deeds of the units en-
gagged. hut il may be said that the Ia
NOUS lighting Fifty-iirst Division. which
is made up mainly Of Highland Terri
torials has taken part in some OF the
hottest OF the fighting. II was from
men OF this division that | obtained
some vivid accounts of the battle.
1t was an experience to be remem-
bered said a corporal of the Black
Watch II was just like having hell
and all its flames lifted from below
ground and flung on top of us. There
was heavy runtire along the whole
front without break. and great shells
were pounding the earth TO powder,
sending up dense cloud OF fine dust
and making it Impossible for men to
live in even the deepest OF dugouts
Some of our lads were forced mp to
the top. and ran out to NEE; the at
tackinG infantry coming on behind this
terrible barraGe. 1t was not only tho
Shell fire. There were gallons of liquid
fire continually spraying over US. and
great clouds OF cvil-smclliuE black
smoke TO add to the horror Of the day
The atmosphere rocked with br'm-
stone. and could not have been
worse had we been confined in the
worst chambers OF hell.
ono OF tho most striking features Of
Tho h.;ile MAS the way the enemy
i-auir.,l:sd smoke gas screens to cover
'nei" troops from observation.
Another vas the CgeuEi.l nature of
the onset OF the attacking infantry
There was no stopping them. The man
who said that the Germans advanced
ns though they had been sho; out from
trench mortars and we're unable to stop
themselves was not eNagIcrat,ng. The
explanation was that the whole attack
was well organized. and the Germans
saw to 1t chat once the great mass ot
men got in motion turning back was
Impossible. 1t WAS much easier to go
forward
The men behind Kept prcssin; on tho
heels Of those in front and so the
great army was always kept on Tn,
move.
Each battalion had its special STAFF
Of picked men with machine guns to
shoot down those who attempted to
turn back, and further behind also there
was a heavy tarragc from the big gum,
deliberately aimed at stragglcrs who
did not keep up the pace of advance
timed by Headquarters
In the very nature OF things we could
"oi have 1t any point OF our line
enough men to withstand these rushcs
The HiGhlarders OF my regiment
were the first TO engage the enemy. We
did not see the advancing infantry
untN ibey were close 10 our first line.
our orders were 20 hold The front line
Until! certain dispc s!tious had been COM
rleie- IL The rear. The orders We're
cbeyed. though obedience meant that
three companies OF lI!ghlanders had
10 hold on against as many batta!!ons
OF Germans
In The later stage of the lighting The
Highianders were caught between two
enniad.ns hrcs through the enemy hay.
inS secured early success TO our right
and LETT Following up this success
the Huns tried 20 smash through To
bar our retreat. but against this move
cur fourth company was ordered into
action.
HIGHLAND I.ADDIES
NEVER FLINCHI:D
Dur men knew that OH their ability
TO hold out depended no, oulv M.
safsty AID honor Of Their comradss
."u, Of The whole British army
the hght ragged with great tlerccuess
Inc enemy rushed in on us again ana
gan TlfE were thrown back each
me a:'ef"ti: :po.:,ie bayonct nsh,ins.
!. "h!th' our H..t"d lads suffered terri
e Meanwhile the three companies in the
main position were also hola,nr ~.
sFlniy. ana they succeeded in doing
50 until the order 70 retire came
MAJ 0fGer came too late for cas-
execution The enemy we're In sDci,
-o' g. aGd they HAD inflicted such So
ere losses that d. %as Impossible 40
ti.eet an easy retirement II. rae. ar /.
NASTY superior and eNul,aut To-.
>tt! IN. order mad To Io ,ta,.J -,
"Hh grim determination tho Hjri,.
la"eerS set out on the backward road
= n e"emE noted the movement, ,,I
hHn"feas or guns raiucd death In many
iort"s on our me" as they marched
-E'ead'i! out, and cAu.taut enemy i,
f"niFy came cushing over 10 oy,ry:bo ~,
The High!ande-s faced abou, ono.
n'o'e 20 meet this new menace. M.
I"'lrins companies taking 1, I'm t,,,r
an" hshtins OF terrible char,,c,cr
lion ~" POSI-
lme party Of hfty-four men were en-.
1'tety GUY of, and fought to the dea,b
"EHiiSl nordes of tile foe II ", "
ii"'tef OF lighting every incn Of ,bn
,hfee miles We had to retire ana i, 90
nara fighting at That !" :"
:" si'te OF ihc!! fatigue and the o.
ie"t o: long lighting against ,n,-;,,i,
"dcs, tie company OF ou- ..t 30
,"h!Fh mad DISTINGUISHED itself i'm 49,
tcH'IhS our rear was called on =, 80
mn !" new ordeal go"
= message came to saw ina, -,
snen'y we're advancing by road ia ~
am- oItlhs across country to cut of
.nn., ,tis mere Was stu trno 10
iheci inns menace, and the co,1rc,,,,
referred 10 made i forced mari
10 the cross roads before Tho .,,,,,. -
lhe| TOOK NJ position, from ,.,,t.,