A NETWORK OF LINES.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15612, 9 June 1916, Page 4

A NETWORK OF LINES.

LIGHT RAILWAYS IX CJTAMI'AGXF/. (From Mr H. "Warner AI lon. the .Representative of the British I'ress with the French Army.) The most remarkable achievement of the French military engineers is undoubtedly tho network of railway lines that now covers tho barren countryside in Champagne. First of all, one may take the lines of normal gauge. The Frcnch had at their disposal in this district tho lino which runs through Somine-Suippe, Somme-Tourbe, and Somme-Bionno, known as "the line of tho •Sommes.'' Before the battle of Champagne .last September, it was possible that this line might be cut by the enemy's long-range, lire; consequently it was doubled by another ordinary gauge lino well out of tho enemy's reach. As a matter of fact, during the offensive the line of the Sommes was able to worjt uinterruptedly, as the ■Germans -were far too busy fchecking'tho French advance to spare either time or ammunition for the railway line, in the rear. These Wo lines form, as it were, a double backbone to the French organisation. They are linked up to one another and to the front trenches by a complete network of light railways'on tho IXicauville system, with a two-foot gauge. All about over the bare Champagne slopes funny little two-funnelled engines, puffing and blowing, with two or three trucks behind them, are to be seen. Sometimes, -for an important line of communication, the track has been carefully levelled, so that there are 110 steep gradients, and -the toy engines can pull veritable trains of trucks carrying each some eight or nine tons of material. These light railways are so arranged that, (if the ordinary line of the Sommes were cut, then' communications with the doubling lino behind would be uninterrupted, and material could stili be brought up to tho trenches in a continuous ftveam. _ The most surprising feature of these light railways is th<>. audacity with which they have been pushed forward into close proximity -with the front trenches oniy a hundred yards or so from the enemy. It Ls not good for the trains to go up too near the front during daytime, as, unfortunately, the ■white <-moke of the engines provides the German gunners with a too easy target. At night their task is easier, but even then it is only in certain places where it is safe for thorn to remain .stationary. However, the engine-drivers regard German. shells with tho greatest equanimity. If a rail or two is torn up it can be replaced in tho twinkling of an and any considerable interruption fcf traffic can only be accomplished by a very heavily sustained bombardment.