South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-26
Renewal of Efforts to Break
Through Brings Sharp En-
gagement Near YpreS With
ASSaiIantS RepuISed.
AIRMEN ARE GREAT AID
TO ALLIES ARTILLERY
Artillery Duel in West Flanders
Continues While Infantry
Operations Are Likely to
Shift to Lille and North Sea.

PARIS, Jan. 26.-In repulsing an
attack by a German battalion upon
the trenches to the east Of Ypres at
dawn yesterday French troops killed
800 men in the assaulting force. The
news OF this sharp engagement in
dicating that the Germans are renew
ing their efforts to break through the
allies lines near Ypres, was gwen in
an official statement issued here this
afternoon.
Heavy fighting has also been in
progress in Flanders, where the Bel
gians have made some progress along
the User front
The Germans are also on the Often
sive in the region of Labassee, having
launched hve attacks against the Brit
ish lines.
The German assaults near Labassee
gave them slight advantage but they
were later repulsed.
The official report follows:
ION the Ypres front the Bel
gian troops advanced in the region of
Pervyse yesterday.
The Germans launched at day
break against our trenches TO the east
of Npres a strong attack with "A bat
talon which was halted. Three hun
dred dead, among whom was the com
mander Of the leading company, were
left on the ground. This attack
should have been supported by the
companies Of the second line COT Ger
mans). but because of the accurate
fire of our artillery, these forces were
unable to leave their shelter.
Near I4abassee, at Givenchy and
Guinchy, the enemv launched against
the British lines five attacks. After
having made slight progress the Ger
mans were repulsed, leaving on the
ground a number Of dead and 90 pris-
oners, of whom two were officers. That
attack was accompanied by an at
tempt diversion at several points
on our front between the Bethune
road and I.abassee and AK NOulette.
Attackers Are Halted.
lone part of the enemys forces
who had attempted to leave the
trenches was instantly halted by a fire
of our infantry and of our artillery
con the rest of the front between
the Lys and the Oise there was an ar
tillery duel
ITO the west of Craonne the enemy
made two successive attacks of eX-
treme violence. The first was re-
pulsed: rle second penetrated our
trenches but with an energetic coun-
ter attack our troops regaIned almost
all the lost ground. The battle con-
tinues around that part of the trench
still held by the Germans.
In Champagne while the enemy S
artillery is showing less activity than
on the preceding days, our batteries
have fired effectively upon the Ger
man positions.
I'm the ArgOnne. in the region of
ST. Hubert, we broke up with our ar
tillery fire an attempted attack.
I'm Alsace the enemy has actively
employed his bomb throwers against
our positions at HartmannsweiiCr-
kOpf. No new lighting has taken
place there.
"He tthe Germansl has bombarded
Thanh, Lambach and Sennheim."
Battle On 1876 Days.
Fighting over the great battle line
an France, Belgium and upper Alsace.
which has developed into siege Oper-
ations at nearly every point has now
been in progress 136 days. 1t is be-
neved that the next infantry opera
tions on a big scale Will take place be-
tween Lille and the North sea as the
Germans have massed an enormous
number OF men in that region.
Refugees arriving in the French and
British lines say that all the Belgian
villages behind the German front are
overfOwing with soldiers. The cold
weather. which has dried up the mud
Of the roads, has greatly facilitated
troop movements.
In West Flanders the rival armies
we're again engaged in an artillery
duel on Monday The French and
British artllerymen were greatly as
sisted bv their airmen and IL has come
TO be the boast OF the English and
French officers that their aviatOrs are
more daring. skilful and efficient than
he Germans.
Between the Lys river and the Oise
here has been considerable night can
nonading At "a number OF points in
hat district the British and French
nave been sent forward at sundown
20 throw up advanced earthworks In
consequence OF this the Germans got
.nto the habit Of opening "a nightly
bombardment whether they had any
hing 10 shoot at or not
Skirmishing Along Aisne.
Skirmishing has been in progress
along the Aisne and 10 the southeast
Il Amisns. In these districts the Ger
mans were evidently feeling out the
strength OF the French for they MAIN
aimed strong reserves which were not
sent forward. bat which were held 20
meet any attacks that the French
night launch In force.
Operations upon the MeuSe south
II Nerdun are taking on more import
.nce. The French have placed a num-
ler 81 their best long range guns on
heir front as is evidenced by the fact
hat they have just been able 10 de-
troy the German bridges at ST. Ali-
liel despite the fact that Gen. Jonre S
men have held their present positions
outh OF 81. Alihiel for some time. The
forts Of the French az Nailly viii