Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-22
.APPREC|ABLE PROGRESS
IS CLAIMED FOR ALLIES
Northern France Storm Centre of
Great Battle Raging on
Western Front.
GERMAN ATTACKS REFUSED
British Troops Retake Most OF
Trenches Recently Lost I'm Neigh
borhood of Pcronne-Arras Again
Under Bombardment by Invaders.

Especial Gable to The Times Dispatch
PARIS. December Il. Northern
France to-day Is the storm centre of
the great battle on the western front.
Although the allies contiruc their ac-
ttvities from Nieuport to the south of
1prcS. In Belgium. the most furious
encounters are occurring in the lis
trict from Il point just north of Arras
south to the region of Noyon. where
the French. with their allies. the Brit
ish and the Indian contingents. arc
again ut grips with their old time foes,
Won Kluck and Won Buclow
Apprcciablc progress is reported by
the French War Office. which declares
that the most desperate efforts of the
Germans TO regain their lost positions
resulted in failure
In their advance upon Lens the
French have arrived to within five
miles of that town on the west, and
within two and one-half miles on the
northwest by Il series of drives against
the Bavartans under Crown Prince
Rupprecht. The French occupied the
forest near the road between Noulcttcs
and Souchez, and captured all the first
line German trenches between this
highway and Notre Dame de Lorette,
to the southwest of Loos which Is
northwest of Lens.
British troops, attacking with great
dash and vigor, to-day retook most of
the trenches they lost in the lighting
before Lihons, southwest of Pcronnr
-Four successive attacks of the Germans
IN an attempt to recapture trenches
previously taken by the allies in this
region were rcpulSed.
Arfas is again under bombardmcnt
by the German guns. but the reply OF
the French batteries has perceptibly
weakened the attack. Several of the
German guns have been silenced.
GERMAN BATTERIES
FORCED OUT OF ACTION
North OF Carney. five miles to the
cast of Albert. the French guns over
whelmed the invaders batteries on sew
eral occasions. delivering such an ac-
curate cannonade against their gun
positions that the batteries n number
or times were forced out of action
Near HON. southeast of Carnoy two
OF the enemy's cannon were smashed
and II long section OF the German
trenches was demolished.
To-nights official statement tells OF
tho most successful movement the
French have been able to carry out
against General Won Kluck
To the northwest OF Puziliarc south
or NoYon, by mining and sappinE. they
reached the approaches OF the first line
of trenches. and by a brilliant attack
gained foothold in these defensive
works OF the enemy. In the ST. Mard
wood The French also made notable
En- ~.
In Belgium and France Belgian
forces continue to make slight gains
against the desperate defensive Of
the "Wurttembergers" around Lom-
baertzyde, st. Georges. Bixschootc and
TO the south Of Iillcbeke. The hospi-
tai at Ypres has been under lombard
ment from the German batteries
Unofficial reports describe furious ar
tillcry fighting for the possession of
Roulcrs. but as yet the British have
not been able to gain a foothold in the
town. according to the most reliable
Information obtainable here.
FRENCH TAKE 1.20O YARDS
OF ENEMY'S TRENCHES
The most startling gains recorded in
the official reports of the day were
made in the Champagne country and
In the region of Varennes. Northeast
Of Beausejour, in the Champagne re-
gion, the French took 1900 yards Of
the encmy's trenches and made ap-
preciable gains IN the region of Prosncs
and Pcrthes. Four mined saps dug by
the Germans were blown up In the for
est OF LaGrurie. and the French ad-
vanced and occupied the positions the
Germans were forced to quit.
An advance OF 500 yards beyond the
brook OF Cheppes. in the district be-
tween Gercourt and Bethincourt near
Varennes, Is reported from tho right
On the right bank of the Meuse some
ground has been gained by the French
at Lacroupe, about n milo and a quar-
ter northwest Of Brabant
FIGHTING AROUND NIEUPIRT
DIMINIsHES IN INTENSITY
Especial Cable to The Times DISPATCH I