New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-27
French Win Is Miles
of FOrtlfiCationS in
Champagne
BRITISH SEIZE
SMILE LINE
ROut Foe at La BaSSee-
Kaiser Loses Forts
Above ArraS.
BERLIN ADMITS LOSS
Belgians Claim Gain on User
Artillery Levels More
Enemy Positions.

London. Sept. 26.-Charging po-
sitions which the Germans thought
impenetrable, the British and French
armies have captured trenches along
a front Of twenty miles and vary
ing in depth up to two and half
miles. Two days Of the great often
sive in the west have seen German
positions in the Champagne region
and north of Arras. the citadels Of
the invaders lines, stormed by the
Allies, and 10000 Of the Kaiser's
troops taken prisoners. or the dead
and wounded there is no estimate.
At the same time, British warships
and French and Belgian batteries
heavily bombarded the German posi-
tions on the coast between Zeebrugge
and Nieuport.
For several weeks British and
French artillery have been pounding
fercely and continuously at the Ger
man line. The forward movement oe
the infantry began Saturday morn
ing. when thousands Of allied troops
threw themselves against the Ger
man trenches, in which, though bat
tered and torn by heavy shells. the
Germans waited. having long expect
ed the onslaught.
Much of the fighting was at close
range, hand to hand encounters be
ing carried from trench 10 trench.
The heavy artillery continued %
pour forth a rain of heavy proiec-
tiles. while aviators took the air 70
direct the firing, and themselves e..
gagged in innumerabe combats.
French Gain in Champagne.
The French, who have the most inn
portant gain TO their credit. made their
chief onset against the German lines
around Perthes, Beausejour and
Suppes, in Champagne, where 10
December they made a considerable
gain Of ground.
Saturdays attack, however. backed
by tremendous artillery fire. gave
them possession Of more territory tnan
they had retaken from the Germans
since the latter dug themselves in after
the battle of the Marne
According to the French account, the
Germans were driven out Of their
trenches over a front Of fifteen miles,
varying in depth from two-thirds Of a
mile to u. and a half miles. Tho
French in this engagement captured
10000 prisoners. The advantage 10
being pressed still further.
The Importance Of this gain lies n
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
to retire should the French succeed in
making any further advance.
Sauchez Taken Once More.
The French also have regained Sou
chez and trenches east Of the "laby-
rinth" in the Arras district. which was
the scene Of much heavy fighting ear
lier in the year. There the Germans
had built what they considered. almost
impregnable fortiAcations.
This attack was made in cooperation
with the British. who attacked on
either side Of La Bass6e Canal. The
attack 20 the south Of the canal was
Field Marshal Sir John French reports
complete success Trenches five
miles in width and about four thou.
sand yards in depth were taken at this
point
This push forward gives the British
possession Of the road from Lens to La
Bassee. which was used by the Ger
mans for moving troops and supplies
/ north and south, and threatens 70 out
flank the German troops which hold ths
town OF Lens.
Allies Move On Lille.
Hill No. 20. one Of the positions
taken on the road. is less than mile
directly rorth Of Lens, while Hullueh,
which also fell into the hands Of the
British, is at the end Of the road near
La BassSe. It is only twelve miles
from Hullueh to Lille, the capital Of
Northern France.
North Of the canal the British. al
though they fought all day yesterday,
we're unable TO hold the ground gained
and had TO fall hack to the trenches
which they had left in the morning
! The attack, however, accomplished one
nuruoae AZ according to Field Marsha