Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-09-27

London. Sept. rs, $50 p. m-The
British and French armies have taken
several large ''nibbles'' out of the Ger
man lines between Verdun and the Bel
gian coast capturing, in the process,
trenches along front of about twenty
miles and just under fourteen thousand
prisoners. eight guns and number OF
machine guns.
At the same time British warships
and French and Belgian batteries heav-
lily bombarded the German positions on
the coast between Zeebrugge and Nieu-
port.
The offensive which resulted in the
French ard British victories began
Saturday morning. For several weeks
there had been an almost incessant
bombardment with big guns, which late
last week increased in intensity, par
ticularly in the sectors where the in
fantry attacks took place.
Important French Gain.
The French, who have the most i'm
portant gain to their credit, made
their chief onset AGAINST the German
lines around Perthes, Beausei0llr and
Suippes in Champagne, where in De-
cemoer they made a considerable gain
of ground. Saturdays attack, however,
backed by a tremendous artillery fire,
gave them possession of more territory
than they had retaken from the Ger
mans since L4e ltlI6E QuS themselves
in after the battle of the Marne.
According to the French account, the
Germans were driven out of theil
trenches over a front of fifteen miles
varying in depth from two-thirds of g
mile to two and e half miles. The
French in this engagement captured
twelve thousand prisoners. Apparent
ly the advantage is being pressed still
further. as the French communication
makes only the briefest mention of tht
operation.
The Importance Of this gain lies ir
the fact that every yard of ground
taken in this region weakens the Ger.
man position around Verdun. from
which the Germans might be compelled
toeretire should the French succeed ir
making any further advance.
The French also have regained tht
cemetery of Souchez and trenches cas-
OF the labyrinth" in the Arras dis.
trict. which was the scene of mucf
heavy fighting earlier in the year
There the Germans had built what they
considered almost impregnable forti.
hcations.
The Attack Was Cooperative.
This attack was made in co-opera
tion with the British, who attacked OF
either side of La Bassee canal. Tn
attack south of the canal was, Fielt
Marshal Sir John French reports,
COAuplctG GuCC6SS. 4T0IlGuGS OH d 1TOn
Of five miles and about four thousan
yards in depth were taken at thi
point.
This push forward gives the Britis
possession of the road from Lens t
La Bassee. which was used by tn
Germans for moving troops and sup
plies north and south, and threatens
outfiank the German troops which hol
the town of Lens.
Hill No. 20, one Of the position
taken on the road, is less than a mil
directly north of Lens, while Hullucl
which also fell into the hands of tn
British, is at the end OF the road nea
La Basse. 1t Is only twelve miles frol
Hulluch to Lille. the capital of north
ern France.
British Unable TO Hold Ground.
North Of the canal the British. a.
though they fought all day. were un
able to hold the ground gained and ha
to fall back to the trenches which the
had left in the morning. The attac
however. accomplished one purpo'
and, according to Field Marsh
French, German reserves were sent
check this move, thus giving the Bri
tsh south of the canal an opportunit
to consolidate their new positions VI
moiested.
A somewhat similar manoeuvre too
place north and south of the Men
were the same. North of the road Il
British were unable to hold Il
ground taken, while to the south tbs
gained about six hundred yards of Il
German trenches and consolidated Il
ground won. So far as is reporte
the British took seventeen hundrt
prisoners, with eight guns and sever
machine guns.
Fierce Fighting for pvinsk.
Some of the fiercest fighting of t
campaign Is in progress on the Ru
sian front. The Germans contin1
their furious attacks In an effort
drive the Russians out Of OWNS
while in volhynia and Ga1icia the Ru
slams continue to harass the Austr
Germans who had designs on Kie
from which town they are now farth
away than they were a few weeks ae
Russians Regain Forts.
General Ivanoff apparently is dete
mined 10 hold back the Austro -Ge
mans. and his efforts are meeting wi
considerable measure of success. T
fortress triangle which includes DubT
Rovno and Ltush is almost entirely
the possession Of the Russians.
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