The quick operations of the British, however, led to the capture of many
prisoners and guns.
The English offensive in Picardy was a more serious matter, and from
some points of view was the greatest offensive in the war. The Allied
front had been prepared for offensive operations by minor attacks which
had secured for the Allied troops dominating positions. The attack was a
surprise attack. The Germans were expecting local attacks but not a
movement of this magnitude. The surprise was increased because it was
made through a heavy mist which prevented observation. It was preceded
by tremendous artillery fire which lasted for four minutes, and which
was followed by the charge of infantry and tanks. The German artillery
hardly replied at all, and only the resistance of a few rifles and
machine guns fired vaguely through the fog met the charging troops.
The attack was on a twenty-five-mile front and on the first day gained
seven miles, captured seven thousand men and a hundred guns. On the
following day there was an advance of about five miles and seventeen
thousand more prisoners were captured.
The Germans were now retiring in great haste, blowing up ammunition
dumps and abandoning an enormous quantity of stores of all kinds. The
English were using cavalry and airplanes, which were flying low over the
field and throwing the German troops into confusion.
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