The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-10-17
RELENTLESS ATTACKS AGAINST
HUN ARE REMARKABLY
SUCCESSFUL.
ARTILLERY TERRIFIC
Forward Movement In Flanders Widens
Area of Action for Allies. and As Re
suit Larger Masses Of Troops Can
Now Re Employed.

! washington. Oct. l1.-French sue
cess in Flanders. broadening the great
wedge which the allies are relentlessly
driving into the German lines are de-
scribed as the outstanding feature of
the week in the review of military
operations for the week ending October
! 10. issued by the war department.
! The allied offensive in Flanders con-
tinues methodically," says the review.
Assigned objectives attained with in.
creasing regularity indicate efficient CO.
ordination Of artillery preparation and
infantry attacks.
Precision OF the allied barrage is
proved by the low casualties of the as
saultfng columns. Deadly effect OF al
lied artillery fire is confirmed by reports
reaching us regarding the concern of
the German high command at the new
allied typhoon' fire which is compelling
the enemy to amend his tactical dispo-
sitions in an effort to meet the shock
OF shell rained up his lines
Successes attained by the French
forces operating north Of the British
sector, more particularly in the neigh
borhood of the Houtholst wood have
given the allied advance in Flanders the
needed elbow room
Breadth Is Essential.
Breadth of front Is an essential con-
dition for operations which are to have
far-reaching results, for IL confined to
a too narrow base really important
encircling movement can have no sus-
tanned value if along its entire length
it can be hanked by artillery fire.
srrha zopa af onara iopc <lx<, vx<..s.
salient. formerly too narrow for the
proper disposition of large masses of
troops. has now. by the French cooper
alton and their recent successful ad-
vance. so extended the line that fight
ing in what was the Ypres salient has
changed In character. 1t is no longer
to be considered salient but an ever
extending wedge progressively driven
into the German lines.
"The operations of the French during
the past week are in fact complement
tary to the engagements which re-
suited in the capture OF Messines by
the British last June.
During the engagements of the week
the French everywhere maintained the
positions won, in the face of repeated
onslaughts.
AS was to be expected at this sea.
son. bad weather. has somewhat re-
tarded the allied advance.
Ground Is ShelLPIowed.
The infantry was further impeded
by the fact that allied artillery prepa-
ration has so piowed up the ground
that the terrain has been turned into
a sea of mud making the going almost
impossible.
"Torrential rains and low clouds ref
dered aircraft observation difficult and
under ordinary circumstances would
have caused suspension of offensive
operations. but the inclement weather
has not prevented the extension and
consolidation of allied gains during the
week
The Germans. fearing lest the allied
advance in Flanders would be followed
by a similar effort along other sectors
OF the front. particularly north of
Verdun, endeavored to thwart allied
plans by launching a powerful attack
preceded by the usual intensive artil-
lery preparation in this sector.
Enemy Gains Brief Hold.
The enemy was able to gain tenn
porary 1OOtnold In certain advanced
French lines. Latest advices show that
he was driven out after hot fighting.
1T must be remembered that If a
in the field is willing to pay
the price both in lives of his men as
well as in an overwhelming expendi-
ture of munitions. he is invariably able
to- score local success Thus, the
Germans gained in their assault on the
French positions along the right bank
Of the Meuse in the region north of
Hill 344
The enemy's success was, however.
more short-lived than was to be anti
cipated when its cost is taken into
for not only did the
French regain the positions momenta-
'ily lost. but they are now holding their
positions against exceedingly heavy
enemy pressure. at the same time sue
carrying on their offensive
in Flanders as well as
raiding the enemy's lines at other
points"
The review touches briefly upon the
on other fronts. No mention
5 made of American forces or war