The sun., 1919-03-23

promptly given for the division to
attack Nierstaat Ridge to the north
of Mount KENNEL. The attack was
made on the last day Of August
and continued for three days, with
the result that the Twenty seventh
captured Vierstaat Ridge, Rossi-
Enol Wood, Petit Bots and Plateau
Farm.
"An advance OF 200 yards was
then made despite strong resistance
and counter attacks OF the enemy.
During this engagement the entire
terrain was covered by enemy ar
tillery and machine gun fire. Eight
hundred gas shells fell within
single brigade sector. and yet the
men went forward with such dash
and determination that all objec-
lives were taken and a new line
was established upon tho heights
In place OF the old line, which for
months had suffered under direct
enemy observation.
'Kemmel was again In the hands
OF the Allies. The Channel ports
were forever safe. England could
breathe more freely now, and the
work Of the Twenty-seventh Divi.
sion in Flanders had been accom-
plished.
liking Through wars DeaoIa ton
The two American divisions were
withdrawn from tho line in order
that they might rehearse the part
they were soon to play in breaking
the Hindenburg line. The New
Workers had met the Hun and de-
feated him in their FIRST engage
ment.
ION It's way to attack him In his
strongest stronghold the Twenty
seventh passed through an area
more desolate than any other IN
France. Albert, taken and retaken
four times, wns merely a painted
sign upon n ragged wall. while the
banks OF the somme were pitted
like telescope pictures OF the moon.
, Fields were furrowed with deserted
trenches and ploughed with shells.
where the only crops that grew
We're briarlike rusty barbed wire =
and broken pieces OF the machinery
OF war
ION the night of September Is
the New Workers. relieved the
Sevepty-fourth British Division In
line and, occupying 1000 yards in
width, faced the great tunnel sys-
tenn OF the Hindenourg line.
This sector was midway between
st. Quentin and Cambria. a straight
line connecting these two cities
would almost touch the small town
OF Ronssoy. This wac the point OF
the wedge which was 10 be driven
through tho impregnablc line Of
hindenourg, and this was the sec
tor assigned to Gen. Organs divi-
sion.
AT $50 o'clock on the morning
OF September - an attack was
made by the l06th Infantry and
one battalion of the l05th Infantry
ON the outer defence system OF the
German stronghold This outer
defence system consisted OF lines OF
trenches protected 10y wire and sup
ported by three fortified strong
points known as the Knoll. Guile
mont Farm and Quennemont Farm.
Picked German troops held these
positions. The entire outer defence
system brlstled with light and
heavy machine guns minnenwerfer
OF various sizes, anti-tank guns
and carefully concealed field pieces.
A vast amount OF enemy artillery
was in support. and At Guillemont
Farm there were powerful flame
throwers.
ION rising ground In the rear Of
this formidable series OF outworks
was the main Hindenburg system
o. field Notifications based on an
underground tunnel carrying the
So. Quentin Canal. Large forces
OF German troops were held in re-
serve and lived in canal boats In
the tunnel under the hills, sofe
from all artillery fire. while in the
underground passages saps and val
leys led from the tunnel to various
trenches and strong points. making
IL possible for the enemy TO feed
fresh forces unexpectedly into any
pcrs Of his ingenious stronghold.