New-York tribune., 1918-04-26
Tanks of Riual
Armies Clash for
The First Time
(By The Associated Press)


WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE, April 25-Success in the
southern sector Of the battlefront and
a long, fierce struggle in the north
have fallen to the lot of the Allied
arms in the contest for vital positions
which the Germans have been trying
at heavy cost of life to secure. The
latest information from tie south is
-that Vlllers- -Bretonneux has apparently
been retaken as result of a brilliant
British counter attack, and not only
has the town been virtually cleared of
the enemy, but large portion of the
original positions north and south of
1t have been reclaimed German dead
are heaDed about the unhappy town
and some seven hundred prisoners are
IN British camps.
In the north Mont KENNEL has been
attacked desperately by great force
OF German troops especially trained
Tor mountain warfare The attempt
on Mont KENNEL is another move in
the Germans obvious scheme to get
control OF chain Of hills running
east to west in this sector and includ-
ing such elevations as Watschaete,
hemmei' Scherpenberg, Mont Rouge.
Nldaigne and Mont Descats. This pre-
fentlous programme has as its object
the forcing Of the Allies to pull back
Thelr lines TO the north still further
Tanks went into action on both
SIDES Tor the .irst time in history. In
the baltic about Vilers- -Bretonneux
the German tanks appeared at the be-
ginning OF the engagement, and by
room the British tanks joined in the
tray. The latter did heavy execu-
ton when they got among the enemy
infantry.
Rival Tanks in Action
Some five tanks were employed on
each side in the Villers- Bretonneux
iIghting rs supports to the infantry.
he crews Of the British land dread.
noughts were experienced in handling
their charges. and when two Of the
tanks got among the enemy troops
they crushed their way forward.
shooting down the hostile infantry
with rapidfre guns.
The attack on the northern battle
ifont came between 3 and O'Clock
this morning after heavy lombard
ment with gas shells which started at
a. IT. This operation was in con-
tinuance Of the attacks delivered last
night and the night before against
the French in the Dranoutre sector.
AZ 1880 O'Clock last evening the Ger
mans attacked here after heavy bonn
bardment. They succeeded in occupy
ing section OF front trench for a
time, but the French in a dashinC
counter attack threw the enemy out
and completely restored the situation
Thif action wa3 virtually Is dupll-
cate OF the enemy attack delivered at
the same hour on Tuesday night. The
Germans then penetrated for short
distance and were thrown back by
counter attack. The British and
French artillery exacted heavy toll
from the enemy infantry.
The fighting on the British front
between the Somme and Villers- Brc-
tonneux continued throughout the
night and the British were actively on
gagged, not only about the town. but
northward toward the river. During
The day the Cerrnanz mad gtormed and
taken the town and driven about it a
salient which cut through the eastern
edge Of the forest Of Aquenne.
Infantry Fighting Bitter
1t was about noon when the Ger
mans could lay definite claim to
ViIiers-Erctonneuz The somewhat
startling appearance Of the German
tanks was followed by the dramatic
entrance Of the British tanks TO op-
pose them. The infantry fighting on
both sides Was bitter. The British
ciung with magnificent courage TO their