Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-01
ALLIES MOOSE TIGHTENS ON LENS
German Positions Important Town in Northern France in
Great Peril, Expert Explains French Operations
Indicate Steady Push Rather Than Sudden Drive
By FRANK H. SIMONDS


TOOK at any typographical map of
~ northern France and 1t will be seen that
the range of hills which stretches inland
from the Channel breaks rather abruptly
into the plain just west of Lens. The
streams rising on the east side. of the range
flow first east and then north into the Scheldt
River system. As you go east, then, you go
down hill, the slope favoring the army NOV
ing east.
When the Western campaign fell to the
level of a deadlock the Germans occupied the
eastern extremity of the range of hills,
which terminates in the relatively high
ridge known to the official statements
Notre Dame de Lorette, Lorettoberg in the
German. They also held a number OF small
villages about this ridge-notably Grenay,
Aix-Noulette, Ablain-St. Nazaire, Carency,
Neuville-St Vaast and the works east Of
Ecurie known as the Labyrinth"
In May the French, commanded by Foch,
pushed suddenly east, took the Lorette
heights and the villages. This indicates
approximately the Allied position at the
opening of the present drive. In the first
operation the French carried Souchez vii
lage, but subsequently lost most of it. The
May operation yielded only local advan-
tages, because the British to the north were
unable to prevent the Germans from send
ing reserves south
New Drives Purpose
The immediate purpose OF the new drive
in the sector under discussion is to obtain
possession of Lens To possess this town ia
to hold the highways and railroads centring
there and compel the Germans to draw back
from their last foothold on the Artois hills,
already mentioned, into the plain and toward
the city of Douai, some 20 miles east.
Such a withdrawal, aside from immediate
advantages, would bring the Allies close to
the north and south trunk lines, essential TO
the Germans holding the Aisne from Noyon
to the Rheims front. II would also CARRY
the Allies east of Lille, transform La Bassee
into a dangerous salient and make the Ger
man position in Lille uncertain, If not pre-
carious.
Now observe what actually has happened.
First the British. holding the lines as far
south Aix-Noulette and the French, hold
ing the line thence TO Ecurie, cleared away
the German defenses by an intense artillery
fire. Then the British from Grenay, the
French from Neuville-St. Vast swept for
ward. The objective of the British was the
town OF Loos and beyond 1t Hill No. TO- just
north OF Lens That OF the French was the
long ridge, just east of Vimy, eliminating in
Hill No. 140.
The British attained their goal at once
They entered into possession of Hill No. 10,
and also of the great road running at its
foot from Lens to La Bassee. This hill is but
a mile from Lens, which It dominates. II tho
British could hold this position and bring up
their artillery they could cut OF Lens from
the north and east by sweeping the roads
and railroads At the present time the fight
here is being made by the Germans who arc
counter attacking to recover Hill No TO- II
they fail their retreat seems inevitable
Meanwhile, the French were less success
full. They obtained foothold on the Vimy
ridge Just 20 the left Of the point where the
Lens-Arras highway crosses 1t. But they did
not at once gain Hill No. 140, which DOM
mates the whole country They now claim
10 hold II. II this be true and they can bring
up their artillery, they win sweep the high
ways coming up TO Lens from the south and
the Germans will have only the highways tn
the southwest still open.
From the Vimy ridge TO Hill No. 70 is
a little less than Ave miles Into this semi
circle the French and British artillery is
pouring a converging fire. So far the Ger
mans, who withdrew from Souchez at the
opening OF the attack. have succeeded in
holding the village Of Angres and Givenchy-
en-Gohelle. which are the extreme western
points OF the salient. But II the French ac-
tually clear the crest OF Hill No. 140 their
artillery win have a plunging fire upon the
road between oivenchy and Lens. similar
condition last May resulted In the capture OF
several thousand Germans caught In Car
ency.
In sum. the British and the French have
drawn moose about Lens. II they can pun
II taut the city win fall ana they win
straighten their line 80 that 1t win run from
Vimy 70 HIN No 70. curving outward about
Lens. The Germans are fighting desperately.
70 hold back ehe French who are pushing up
ana over the vimy ridge ana 70 expel the
British. who BY occupying hin No. 70 nave
for the moment won the key to Lens
IhlE DarllouIaE oDc1afIou i intonssllnx