The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-20
FRENCH SMASH WAY
TOWARD MUNSTER
Invest Metzeral. Which Com
mands Objective on the
Road to COlmar.
WIN NEW POINT IN NORTH

Special Gable Despdtch TO TuE sus.
PARIS, June 19.-The village OF Metz
eral on the River Fecht, in the vosges.
was invested by French forces late this
afternoon and the advance on Munster,
Ave miles further down the river, is
we'll under way.
The victory is one OF great Importance,
not only because OF the strategic ad-
vantage II offers but as we'll because of
the encouragement II will afford to the
troops fighting in this region. Metzeral
has been an objective of the French
campaign in this region since early
spring. The dvanc has been slow and
the resistance offered has been OF a
most stubborn nature. The village It,
self was invested only after practically
all OF the surrounding heights had been
captured. the Germans finally setting fire
to the houses and defences and retreat
ing along the Fecht toward Munster.
One wing OF the army that occupied
Mctzeral already has swung down
through the valley toward Munster and
is now within some three miles of the
town. Colmar. one OF the most Inn
portant centres In this section, Is but
twelve miles further on.
Position Won In Downpour.
Even from the heights surrounding
Metzeral the French guns will he able
to shower their shells on the defence at
Munster.
The Anal occupation of Metzeral was
made during a torrential downpour. A
thick fog covered the surrounding coun-
try. The ~Braunkopf hills and Hill $40 also
were occupied. as were Leichwalde and
the villa yes Of Steinbruck and Altenhof.
East of Metzeral the Hilgenhrst Heights
were taken. Already some shells have
been dropped on Munster and a NUM-
tons depot near the railway station
has been exploded.
In the sector north OF Arras the French
have made gains which are hardly less
important. The Fond du Buval. which
the Germans have defended with great
obstinacy since June 2. has been COM
pletely occupied. the last German forces
being captured by a savage assault.
More trenches on the slopes east OF
Loret;e, In the direction OF Souchez.
have been captured, and the positions
recently won on the slopes II Hill ll9
have been maintained In spite OF strong
counter attacks.
The night communicate was as follows:
Germans Lose Hard Fight.
In the sector north Of Arras we have
Colllllutu W W. -
consolidated at several points the
fruits OF the fortunate engagements
OF the last few days. After very lively
fighting the Fond du Buval tnorth OF
Souchez), which had been ohstinately
defended by the enauy since June
9. was invested from all sides and
taken by assault. W. captured sew
eral mitrailleuses but few prisoners.
only about ten fell into our hands.
the resistance OF the Germans having
been desperate.
on the slopes extending to the east
OF Lorette. in the direction OF Sou
chez. we captured several trenches and
made 800 prisoners. OF whom ten are
officers.
We hold the slopes OF iii ll9. where
our troops maintained their positions
in spite OF counter attacks by the
enemy. South OF these slopes We have
pushed forward our lines.
Northeast OF the Labyrinth" a very
violent counter attack caused us TO
lose last night a part OF the main
communication trench which we had
taken. We reCaptured II during the
day and have repulsed all attacks by
the enemy. In the entire sector the
artillery struggle has been continuous
and intense.
The enemy attempted TO deliver an
attack on the edges OF lie Pretre
wood. He was not able TO debouch
from his trenches.
French R~~Rpture Lost Town.
4 German battalion captured lost
night two of our advanced posts at
Embermenil. We Immediately deliv-
cred a counter attack and although
this was made Will forces numcri-
cally inferior we reoccupied the entire
positions and put the assailants to
flight.
In Alsace our advance has been
continued on both sides Of the Fccht
In spite OF a thick fog and "A tor
rental downpour. on the left bank
OF tho Fccht we hold R~raunkopf hills
and Hill $40. Lcichwalde and the viii
lagos OF Steinbruck and Altenhof, At
the same time We capture the 40
lasswascn clearing. between the two
branches OF the Fecht. On the right
bank Of the eastern branch OF the
river We occupied the ~IIilgenfrst
Heights. which constitute the advance
posts of the Petit Ballon de Gueh-