_Special Correspondent with the French Armies_
_George H. Perris was with the French Armies in Picardy
throughout the German offensive. The aim of the Germans was to
drive a wedge between the British and French Armies at the point
of juncture near La Fère, and Mr. Perris was admirably situated
to obtain not only the story of the fighting on the allied
right, but a good general view of the whole great battle and of
the strategic methods adopted by the German command._ CURRENT
HISTORY MAGAZINE, _through its connection with_ THE NEW YORK
TIMES, _has full use of these important dispatches, which are
copyrighted._
[See Map on Page 198.]
A little before 5 A. M. on March 21, between the Scarpe and the Oise,
there began an extremely violent artillery preparation, including
barrages largely composed of gas shells, especially near Cambrai, and
toward the Oise a strong counterbattery fire and a plentiful bombardment
of the allied rear and communications.
At 9:45 A. M. an infantry attack began. Each German division engaged had
a front of attack of about a mile and a half, and seems to have been
disposed as follows: Two regiments, less a battalion of each, were in
the first line, and one regiment was in reserve. Battalions were
echeloned in a depth of two companies, each with six light machine guns,
constituting the first wave. The second wave of two companies, carrying
heavier machine guns, followed at an interval of 100 yards. These were
followed at 200 or 300 yards' distance by light bomb-throwers and the
battalion staff. Finally there came one-inch and other very light field
guns, called "artillery of accompaniment," which deployed as required.
The divisional reserves consisted of five infantry battalions. No new
gas was used, and although the enemy has tanks they were not brought
into action.