about four o'clock in the afternoon
And finally it did come , and in a way that staggered the Boches . The Americans and French had retreated to a general line which permitted a quick re-mobilization to the best advantage . There their front-line ranks held firm , while the new formation was being effected behind them . It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when this was complete . Then , in concerted action , the lines opened at alternate points , and pairs , dozens , scores of the huge armored tanks rolled through , their big guns already blazing shells into the ranks of the disconcerted enemy . Nothing could halt them . They climbed trench parapets , descended into gullies , came out upon level land , and over their whole path swept destruction to the Germans .