The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-04-05

q bloody struggle in chalk quarry,
where many German dead now lie.
After the Germans had come some way
forward ten British tanks drove into
them and shattered some of their bat
talions with their machine-gun FIRE
dispensing groups Of the advancing
units.
The British fought many rear guard
actions and made numerous counter
attacks in the neighborhood of Roisel,
falling back to the line of the Somme
only when new masses Of Germans
passed through those battalions which
they had not met and beaten.
Between Gozeaucourt and Epephy
occurred most desperate struggle.
The Germans attacked In oyerwhelm-
ing strength. Their previous bonn
bardment had had little effect and the
British troops had suffered but
slightly.
The weather was misty, and, screen
ed BY this mist, the Germans were
on top Of the British before the lat
ter were aware of 1t. In dense for
nation they came on, offering excel
lent targets. Ground was yielded by
the British only under pressure of
overwhelming numbers.
Heroic Deeds of the British.
Fighting Saturday between Arras
and Bapaume for possession of the
heights between the Cojeul and SEN
see rivers was especially bitter. Out
numbered eight to one, the British
troops chung to their positions to the
last.
In Gauche wood, where Scots and
South Africans were placed, another
terrific struggle ensued. The Ger
mans several times managed to reach
the wood but were repeatedly thrown
back. Their losses In killed were
heavy, as they came on in
mass formation. Attempt after at
-empt was frustrated.
From a height below Gauche wood s
;nown as Chapel hill to Epephy three {
ierman divisions and parts of O
ourth were thrown against the Brit i
Sh. AT one point the enemy was ac- +
lalIy among the British advance
osts before he was discovered The Z
,g thoroughly screened him.
Waves of Germans flowed past the :,
Irm and around it, but In the farm
self the Leicesters held out, fighting
I'd refusing to surrender until every :
an was killed OF so severely wounded !
could fight no more.
The British showed the greatest
rength between Bapaume and Pc
nne and above Bapaume as far as :
'ras. The Germans, however, con-
rned with the southern flank, at the !
British junction point, concen-
lted their most terrific blows against l
e Peronne-Ham-Ch auny line, relying
the necessity of an automatic Brit b
/ withdrawal In the north If their 1
lie was bent or broken in the south. Is
Bapaume was an obstacle on the /
rthern side, to capture which they 4
crificed thousands of their best N
oops. Rivers of blood were shed for
sted almost all night, until the
,itish finally yielded the ruins. after tt
wing exacted fearful price. W
Kaiser Orders Jubiation. III
The kaiser was with Field Marshal 81
N Hindenburg in Peronne surveying
q bloody fields where thousands of
S best fighting men We're killed or T.
aimed before the British finally with :,
lew. The emperor ordered a general !,
bilation throughout the empire, =,
,ckets and flags and holiday for the !,
lildren being the chief symbols Of !
LIBERATION. He conferred gold in
Id iron cross on Hlndenburg.
Wilhelm also sent dispatches to the :
npress telling of the progress made
! his armies.