AMIDST FROST AND SNOW.

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1916, Page 4

AMIDST FROST AND SNOW.

ATTACK AT GRANDCOURT,

ENEMY RESISTANCE BROKEN

LONDON, November 21

The "Times'"'* correspondent ,it headquarters says; — The attack on Grandcourf. wks ih-a-matically in a snowstorm before dawn. After three days" hard freeze the whole front was frozen solid, the roads ringing hard, and tin? earth blanketed with white. The original main German second lino runs immediately before Graiuicmtrt in an elaborate parallel line of trenches complicated with minor defences, the woble constructed nearly two years ago, aru of s : milar strength to the front line. We luU previously broken through the second line north of Stuff Redoubt. Now we have penetrated another 500 yds, the enemy retaining some positions south of'Grandcourt. After a fierce bombardment the British and Canadian troops advanced from the Stuff and Regina trenciios I due north against the formidable trenches running east and west. The troops were on the enemy before he could issue from his dugouts, jumping into the trenches amidst the whirling snowflakes. We swept away all re-

sistaace except some isolated ma-chine-gun points, conquering the whole of the .south Bide of tllo Ancre to Brandcdurt, where the struggle proceeds: The advance was smaller on the north side of the Anere, because the line was previously move forward along that bank. Nothing could be had worth winning- by pushing ahead. We conquered the Bois d'Holland very cheaply, and broke in at tko end of the nμ-iin second line towards tho plateau beyond, patrols finally reaching the Grandfourt trench, the last remaining defence before Miranmont, where a completely successful coup was gallantly carried out., l*nfortunately a thaw set in during the day, melting the hard surface and replacing it with slime and slush pools. Almost a Sabbatical quiet is prevailing on the Ancre since Saturday. Owing to the weather there has been no iz: fan try advance, though bombing is occur: ing in the- edge of. Grandcourt. There is no sign that the enemy desires to retake his positions. The Gei-ni.i'i casualties siitce November 1-i must be at. least .'IO,OOO. Their defences in this part are covered by remarkable entanglements, 30yds to 40yds deep in some places, enmeshed in every possible way, yet the artillery uprooted great portions of thete tangles. During the last, battle we swe.it over the German trenches behind our barrage. Throughout the foggy day the British encountered the Germans on all sides, taking prisoners who iv number exceeded the British strength. Our men were muddy, gorgeously happy, gentle-hearted, sympathetic and helpful. They do not realise they are heroes. This uplifting jy the spirit of our cause is the most wonderful and finest thing the world has seen.