The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-07-05
Sudden And Violent Attack
With Tanks Proves
Successful -.
''NIBBLING" PLAN
BEING CONTINUED
French Also Report Pris~
oners Taken In Numer-
Gus Raids
LEY Associated Press.l

LONDON july 6.-Ine GeTELLa4LS
last night delivered a counter at
tack upon the new positions gained
by the British on the Aniens front
to the east of the village Of Hamel.
The war office announced today that
the enemy had been repulsed in this
attempt and left prisoners in the
British hands.
More than 1900 prisoners wers
taken by the British forces in yes
terday's operation on the Son2me
area, In addition 100 machine guns
and a number Of trench mortars
were captured.
The text Of the statement reads:
1.-THE total number of prisoners
taken by us in yesterdays SUCCESS
full operations on the Somme ex-
ceed 1900. One German field gun,
in addition to over 100 machine guns
and a = number Of trench mortars
have 81 far been counted.
"A hostile attack against our new
position east Of Hanel last night
was easily repulsed. A few prison
ers were left in our hands.
"A successful raid was carried out
by US in the Beaumont-Ham Sec
tor. An attempted hostile raid in
the neighborhood of Strazeele
(Flanders 'front.' was repulsed."'
The French Report.
Paris, July 5.-French patrol
parties were active last night in
many sectors from the Picardy TO
the Lorraine according to today's
war Office report. Prisoners were
taken by the numerous raiding de-
tachments.
Attack Complete Success.
With the British Army in France,
July 4.-CBy The Associated Press.)
Complete success crowned the
splendid surprise attack made by the
Australians at dawn against the Ger
mans between Villers- -BretonneuE
and the Somme-an attack which
had been specially set to, coincide
with Independence day.
The enemy was taken entirely I'M
awares and the big framed fighters
from Australia stormed their way
through the bewildered grey coats
with little opposition-a veritable hu-
man tornado which left a wake Of
death behind it.
Hamel village was rushed and
taken in short order. Vaire ana
Hamel woods. with their nests Of
cracking machine guns. were passed
through as If the Australians were
doing a practice charge for their
commander and a line Of enemy
trenches east of these stronghoIds
was cleaned out and annexed.
About 1900 prisoners were in the
British cages this afternoon, while
out on the battlefield great numbers
of the German emperor's men lay
silent under the brilliant sunshine
which could bring them no cheer.
It took the assaultfng forces about
an hour and q half to complete their
work. and at the end Of that time
they had, with exceedingly light cas-
ualties. wrested from the enemy a.
strip Of territory four miles wide and Z
averaging a mile and half deep. BY ,
this operation they eliminated a ga
lent in the British line and gained
valuable high ground.
Advance Behind Tanks.
The Australians went over the top
behind a large number Of tanks
which were TO pilot the way. Two
minutes before that hour the British
artillery all along the sector dropped
a tremendous barraRe on the German
defenses from guns Of all calibres.
This was the first warning the
enemy had Of impending trouble.
Not a word concerning the attack
had penetrated to the other side.
Even the great. uncouth tanks had
been gotten into position without the
enemy being aware Of their presence.
The first streaks of dawn were be-
ginning to light the rolling valley of
forward to lay the cornerstone for this
Fourth of July memorial. A dense
smoke barrage was sent swishing out
toward the German lines, and
through this concealink shroud the
tanks began to crawl swiftly into ac-
ton.
Behind these great engines of war,
and even riding on top of them, were
the irrepressible Australians. There
was a furry Of rife fire from the
startled enemy. and hostile machine
gums began to chatter yiciously as
they poured their stream OF bullets
out across the dinly lighted No Mans
Land toward the oncoming bank Of
smoke. which concealed they knew
not what
The German artillery, too, began
to reply to the British gunners III an
attempt TO stem the attack. but tfa
hostile Are was without effect.
The guns of the tanks opened Jg
and began to hurl explosives into the
enemy defenses. The Australians
charged on with their iron friendG
and as they went they found the 20
ing easier. The enemy infantry de-
ciined to face these inyuIuerable
forts and the khaki clad men from
the far lands. who fought like de-
mons and staked their lives as they
would sixpence on the green cloth.
Call "KamsfadR.
All along the line Germans began
their frenzied calling Of "l1amerad.
kamerad. mercy about them their
unfortunate comrades were falling III
great numbers before the fire OF the
tanks and the play of the Australian
rifles and bayonets.
One German battalion commander
and nearly all his battalion were
rounded UP and sent on their way la
the rear. Three German divisions