South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-12-24
Official French Statement Re-
ports Gains for Allies at
Numerous Points But Fog
Causes Continued LuII.
SAPPERS AID ADVANCE
OF ANGL FRENCH ARMY
Allies Seize 400 Yards of En-
emy'S Trenches Northeast of
MeSniI-LeS-HurIuS and Re-
pulse Fierce Counter Attacks


PARIS. Dec. 24.-Gains for the al
lies at numerous. points on the Dattle
front. the repulse of fierce German
counter attacks and the silence of
German artillery are reported i'm an
official statement issued here this af-
ternoon. In the region of Arras and
Verdun fog has caused a lull in the
lighting. Between the North sea and
the I.ys the AnglO-FrenCh forces have
gained through sapptng operations
East and southeast Amiens. In the re-
gion of Lessigny, there is a fierce ar
tiuery duel IN progress, the report
indicating that the Germans are try
ing 10 resume the offensive IN thaI
district The Belgian army has eVi-
dently been shifted from the North
sea coast. as the report says that the
Belgians have advanced south OF DIX
nude Hitherto they were reported
10 be operating near NieupOrt.
Here's Official Statement.
The official ccmmunique follows.
Between the sea and the river LyS
we have advanced through the work
of sappers in the sand dunes and have
repulsed an attack before LOmbart-
zyde.
AT Zwertelen, southeast of Gpres,
we have captured "a group of houses
constituting the southern part OF the
village. in spite of very vigorous ar
tillery fire on the part of the Germans
and a counter attack of infantry.
The Belgian army has pushed for
ward detachment on the right bank OF
the User river, TO the south OF DIX
.nude and has made effective a posi-
tion at the head Of bridge in this
vicinity.
I'm the region of Arras the fog CON
tinues and renders all operations inn
possible
ITO the east and the southeast OF
Amiens, particularly on the outskirts
IF Lassigny. there have been artillery
conflicts In the region OF the Aisne,
he ZOuayes throughout the day orli-
Iiantly repulsed several attacks and
ended the day by still remaining mas
ters Of the trenches captured on the
list, near the Puislein roads.
I'm the champagne district We
have made more effective gains.
Seize 400 Yards of Trenches.
s'TO the northeast of Mesnil-Les-
Hurlus We have seized 400 yards OF
German trenches and repulsed
counter attack. The Germans at
tempted to take the offensive at the
artillery dispersed the enemy
"In the Argcnne we have gained a
little ground in the forest of Grurie
and repulsed a German attack toward
Bagatelle.
..In the region of Nerdun there have
been no important operations because
OF the fog. The enemy has made "a
counter attack but without success in
the forest of COnSenVoys. In the
Hft.raF do
stroyed and caused To be evacuated
several trenches of the enemy.
In the region of Bam- -SapL,
northeast of ST Die our infantry,
through a charge in force. established
itself in an advanced position.
There is nothing 10 report nm up
per Alsace.
"Russia-On the Bzura river the
Germans have maintained their posi-
tions at 40 points 10 the north OF
Sochaczew. ON the other hand they
have been driven back on the river TO
the southeast OF that city.
The attempts of the Germans TO
move forward TO the east of BohmoV
have been checked They are trying
To- cross the Rawa 20 the southeast of
SIxierniewicz. To the south OF RaWa
they are resisting stubbornly "A move
ment launched from the north bank
OF the PiiCa river.
Prepare Two Great Blows.
IL Is learned from an authoritative
source that Field Marshal Sir John
French OF the British army. and Gen.
Joseph JOfre. Commander-in-ch or
the French army. are gathering their
forces and are moving troops and ar
tillery for two terrific blows which
will be administered against the Ger
mans at both ends Of the 5oo-mlle
fva To- 10
French government recently received
from the government arms works "a
consignment or new guns lullN as ell
fective as the 42-centmcter guns or
the Germans. which are heing rushed
10 West Flanders. and 10 the battle
field east Of the MeuSe
The offensive Of the allies, which
actually began more than tortnlght
ago IS expected 20 reach the climax
newt three weeks The object OF this
double drive viii be two-fold. as fol-
ITO drive the Germans from Bel
gium.
TO hurI the German forces oper-
atine i'm Alsace-Lorraine back to the
Rhine line ~ defense
Announce small Gains.
Official DISPATCHES from the front
announce further small gains north Of
pixmude near Arras ON the Aisne and
particularly In the district lying be-
tween the Argonne forest ana the
Meuse.
Hundreds OF French officers and
urivate= arrived in Paris today from
the front ou q short leave OF absence
for Christmas for it is expected thai
there will be little lighting tomorrow.
Christmas day.