The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1917-05-07
FRENCH CAPTURE
800 GERMANS
Cut Down Foe in DrOveS on
Drive Toward LaOn.
GAIN DOMINANT POINTS
Gains Are Consolidated on 18-miie
Front Despite Ferocious Attacks by
Picked Troops.

London, May More than 600
German prisoners have been taken by
The French in their drive across the
Vauclerc Pleatau toward Laon.
Nivelle's troops consolidated their
Gains and occupied several additional
points Of support.
Numerous counter attacks by the
Teuto ns to Dust the victorious French
failed with great losses, the official re-
port says.
The British are successfully main
tanning themselves in the breach they
have made in the Hindenburg line
near Bullecourt. The Germans deliv-
cred determined attack at this point
which entirely failed, and were baked
gain Sunday in similar effort,
the British war Office announced, the
British fire breaking up the attempt.
Not only have the last two days of
fighting along the Chemin- des-Dames
delivered more than 600 prisoners to
the French. but have given them po-
sitjons whence they can operate on the
principal German defensive line occu-
pying the crest on the northern side
Of the Ailette valley.
From I.affaux MEL to Craonne, the
entire Chemin- des-Dames, with the ex-
ception of a very small section, is
held firmly by the French, who have
thoroughly organized their gains In
defiance Of all the efforts to GUST them.
Counter attacks were tried by the
Germans at many points with great
masses of men. who displayed the fe-
rocity OF despair. but they were beaten
back again and again. The nerve OF
the French troops OF all regiments,
each one Of which emulates its neigh
Dor in bravery, was too much for the
Germans, who surrendered in large
bodies, unable to withstand the French
impetuosity.
The French troops advanced so
RAPIDLY that some of the German
heavy artillery could not be r,moyed.
and was captured, together with some
of their field artillery. Even the Sc
lected soldiers of the Prussian guard
were unable to stem the advance. They
were brought up in motor lorries when
the other Germans had wavered and
fallen back but all they accomplished
was to increase the bag Of prisoners,
which is continually growing in size.
While the guards were alighting from
the lorries they were caught under a
heavy fire of the French artillery and
suffered terribly Men returning from
the lines assert the German dead ~
ing on the battlefield is greater than
ever seen on one spot during the fight
ing in France.
The correspondent watched the bat
tie from the position whence the
French went over to attack north of
Nanteuil-la -Fnsse and Sancy. To the
northwest was LaffauX Mill, While 10
the northeast, Fort Malmaison, sdis,
mantled before the war. ,stood ont
Hike a square block on the ,Jhorrizon.
In the center was rAnge Gsfdien
where the hemin-desD DIMES breaks
off from thee Scissors Brussels road.
Tho battle hereabesits was most in
terestins. as the possession o. Laffaux
MIL gives the occupants an enfllading
position along the Chemin- des Danes
and the Ailette The German resist
ance here reached It's highest point.
but could not prevail against the pow.
erful blows OF the French attack. The
Germans countered after the French
had taken their front line, but were
given blow for blow, the French even
tually wearing down their opponents
Several were scenes Of fierce engage.
ments with hand grenades and hayo-
nets. In these the French came out
victors