CHAPTER LVIII

FRENCH VICTORIES IN THE CHAMPAGNE--THE BRITISH CAPTURE BULLECOURT

During the night of April 25, 1917, the Germans renewed their attempts
to recover lost positions on the high ground near the Chemin-des-Dames,
and especially west of Cerny. West of Craonne they hurled masses of men
against Hurtebise Farm with disastrous results. Eastward in the vicinity
of Ville-aux-Bois the French artillery dropped shells with mathematical
precision on the German lines. The regiment that was detailed to capture
the village of Ville-aux-Bois, which formed with Craonne one of the
pillars of the German line in this area, carried out the difficult
operation with complete success. It was necessary to capture two heavily
garrisoned woods before the place could be assaulted. At the end of the
first day's fighting the French had taken hundreds of prisoners and
several dozen machine guns. The prisoners alone numbered more than the
French troops who made the attack.

Fighting continued in this region during the 26th. The French repulsed
all attempts made by the Germans to recover lost ground, and extended
their gains.

During the desperate fighting along the Aisne in this offensive the
French captured about 20,000 prisoners and 130 guns. The German losses
in killed, wounded, and prisoners were estimated at over 200,000--one
of the most formidable totals of the Great War.

North of the Scarpe River and in the vicinity of Catelet the British
continued to improve their positions. Thirteen German aeroplanes and
one balloon were brought down on the 26th by British aviators.

On April 28, 1917, the British attacked on a front extending in an
easterly direction from Vimy Ridge at its northern hinge and southward
to the Scarpe River. Gains were made at all points attacked, and the
so-called Oppy-Mericourt line which protects the Drocourt switch to
the Hindenburg line was pierced again. An eyewitness stated that he
saw no less than five gray waves of Germans blindly facing the British
fire in an attempt to regain the lost positions. Torrents of British
shells tore gaps in the German ranks, and those who succeeded in
forcing their way through the barrage were mowed down by sprays of
machine-gun bullets. Under this storm the German attack broke down.
There was bayonet fighting at different points, and many Germans were
killed by blows from rifle butts.

The Canadians, who had been resting since their brilliant work on
Easter day, w