New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-01
The Battle for Lens.

Severai days ago there was printed IN
the news columns Of The Tribune a discus
sion Of the Allied offensive in It's wider
aspect. J: IS now possible 10 examine
u.oro IN detail one Of the two great divi-
sioas Of operations. that in Artois' which
has resolved itself into battle for the
oos.ession o. Lens, town with popu-
lat.on-prior 70 the war-of 2IOVO, the
r,utrs Of the coal region Of France and
ane Of the most important railway june
Ems along the whole battle front
Look ut any Typographical map OF
Northern France and It will be seen that
TIE range Of hills which stretches inland
tom the Channel breaks rather abruptly
mo the plain just west OF Lens. The
streams rising on the east side OF the
mae flow first east and then north into
tfe Scheldt River system As you go
aas.. then. you 20 down hill, the slope
favoring the army moving east.
When the western campaign fell to the
Isvel Of a deadlock the Germans occupied
the eastern extremity Of the range Of hills,
which terminates in the relatively high
Ridge known 10 the official statements as
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. Vast and the works
east Of Ecurie, known as the Labyrinth
An these are shown on the map at the
foot Of this page.
In May the French, commanded by Foch'
pushed suddenly east, took the Lorette
heights and the villages TO the left Of the
left hand black line on the map. This IN
dictates approximately the Allied position
at the opening Of the present drive. In
tho first operation the French carried
oorchez village, but subsequently lost most
Of it. The May operation yielded only
local advantages, because the British to
the north were unable to prevent the Ger
mans from sending reserves south.
The immediate purpose of the new drive
n the sector under discussion is to OBJ
tain possession Of Lens. To possess this
town is TO hold the highways and rail-
roads centring there and compel the Ger
mans to draw back from their last foot
hold on the Artois hills, already men
toned. into the plain and toward the city
Of Douai. some twenty miles east.
Such a withdrawal, aside from imme-
diate advantages, would bring the Allies
close 10 the north and south trunk lines,
essential 20 the Germans holding the Aisne
from Noyon 10 the Rheims front. 1t
would also carry the Allies east Of Lille,
transform La Basste into a dangerous
salient and make the German position IN
Lille uncertain, II not precarious.
Now observe what actually has hap
pened. First the British, holding the line as
ear south as Aix-Noulette, and the French.
holding the line thence 70 Ecurie, cleared
away the German defences by an intense
artillery fire. Then the British from
Grenay. the French from Neuvillc-St.
Vast swept forward The objective of
tho British was the town of Loos and be-
ycnd il Hill No. 10, just north Of Lens and
marked A on tho map. That Of the French
was the long ridge Just east Of Vimy,
eliminating In Hill No. 40, marked b on
the map.
Tho British attained their goal at once.
They entered into possession Of Hill No.
70, and also Of the great road running at
So foot from Lens 70 la Bassee. This hill
is but a mile from Lens, which it domi-
mates. Il the British could hold this posi-
lion and bring vp their artillery they could
Gu. oH Lon9 from The north and east by
sweeping the reads and railroads. At the
present time the fight here Is being made
ty the Germans, who are counter-attacking
70 reso9er Bin No. 20. II they fail their
retreat seems inevitable.
Meanwhile the French were less success
ful They obtained a foothold on the
Nirny r.dge just 20 the lef; OF the point
whore the Lens-Arras highway crosses It.
BJl they did not al once gair Hill No. 40,
which dominates the whole country. They
now claim 20 hold IT, II this be true and
they ear bring up their artillery, they will
sweep the highways coming up TO Lens
from tie south and tho Germans will have
only ire highways to the southwest still
open.
From .he yimy ridge 10 Hill No. 70 is
little loss than five miles. Into this
,enli-circle the French and British artil-
icr,- y pouring a converging fire. So far
the Germans, who withdrew from Souchez
~ the opening 81 the attack, have succeed
ed in holding the village OF Angres and
9ivonohy-on- Gohelle, which are the ex-
ucrle western points Of the salient. But
n ';ns French actually clear the crest Of
snl No. 40 their artillery will have a
plunsing nre upon the road between
Cvenshy ana Lens. A similar condition
laa May reEaltod in the capture Of several
o. I'D f.sr,,.arc caught IN Caropcv