Bisbee daily review., 1918-09-19
HUNS DEFEND STRONGLY
HAD BEEN ORDERED TO sAcRI- FIcE EVERYTHING RATHER R THAN GIVE UP TERRITORY BUT ARE UNABLE TO WITHSTAND ONSLAUGHT OF OUR MEN

WITH THE BRITISH ARMY
 IN FRANCE, Sept. 1S.-(By The
 Associated Press. 1.-The British
 troops made a powerful attack
 against the German lines to the
 west and northwest of St. Quen-
 tin today, and most important re-
 suits were achieved. A deep ad
 vance into the enemy territory
 strengthened the already powerful
 grip the British have on St. Quen-
 tin. one of the most strongly forti-
 fiei parts of the Hindenburg line.
 To the south the French CO.,
 operated in what is likely to prove
 an operation of vast portent, with
 respect to the Hindenburg defen-
 sive position
 The zone in volved in the British movement lay, roughly. between Hol- non. on the south, and GOuzaeaucourt Within a few hours Peiziere, Temp. leux-Le-Guerard. Epehy, Ronssoy and Villeret were behind the advanced British forces, and bitter fighting was in progress at many other points in the forward zone. More than 5000 prisoners have already been sent to the cages.
 That hard fighting would be en- cOuntered in this sector was a fore gone conclusion. The main enemy op- position came from machine guns and artillery. The counter barrage which the Germans sent over in reply to the British bOmbardment was much more severe than the enemy had been able to provide in the recent fighting, and, as an additional new feature, the Ger mans maintained a heavy barrage over the back areas with high velocity guns. which they had concentrated for the purpose.
 The smelling of the back areas dur ing an attack is to be expected, but a barrage has seldom before been at- tempted, and then without great sue cess.
 The German infantry surrendered quite frequently in places. In fact, in the center of the attack, where the Australians were working, a consider able number of gray coats deliberately charged through the barrage to give themselves up.
 TOday's operation cannot be con- sidered as a major operation, as com nared with recent battles The ob- jectives sought, however, were impor- tant both from the defensive and of fensive standpoint The assault be- gan at dawn. Unfortunately rain be- gan to fall about o'clock, and when the British went over the top the ground was already slimy and hard to negotiate, especially when the ridges vera reached and the men had to charge up them. Tanks accompanied the troops and rendered invaluable service in the early stages of the con fiict which waxed warm from the start.
 The British preliminary lombard ment was brief and was followed by the customary barrage for the protec. tion of the advancing infantry. The Germans immediately replied with a vicious fire from large numbers of guns concentrated behind the St Quentin canal
 Airplane observation was virtually impossible during the first hours of the fighting from either side. SO that the gunners were shooting by map and were therefore greatly handi. capped.
 In the center the Australians had to fieht for every inch of ground they took, but they pushed steadily for ward until they reached the crest of the ridge. By 6.30 o'clock the Austra- Hans had already taken a total of 50l prisoners. Most of these were Ba-
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