New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
British Repulse
Heavy Attack on
Advanced Lines
Germans Able to Gain
Only South of Ypres-
Menin Road

LONDON, Sept. 22.--Massed German
attacks against the positions captured
from them by the British on the Bel
EiaU front succeeded in forcing Haig's
troops TO rclinquish temporarily their
grip at ono advanced point in the line.
This is shown In tho latest official
statement issued by the British War
Office. But at the same time. the
statement significantly comments on
the conclusion of the fighting: "rhe
whole positions captured on Scptem.
Der 20 were retained"
All reports from the Belgian battle
area indicate tho Teutons are striving
desperately to stem the British drive,
taking no account Of losses. The most
recent attacks were centred south of
tn" Nyrcs-Mcnin road for the rccapt-
urc OF Tower Hamlets Ridge. Three
times the Germans, in mass formation,
stOrmed the British position, and each
time wore swept back by the bayonets
Of Halg's defenders.
Where tine British yielded, south OF
the Yprcs-Menin road and not far from
consolidated and strengthened to resist
such tremendous blows as the enemy
launched. But, in the main, the Ger
man attacks broke down, and their
slight gain Of ground could hardly com
ponsate for the dead they left on the
field.
The German losses, as described by
General Heig's report TO the London
War Office, were heavy, and unofficial
information from the battle line makes
the description even stronger. The
Teutons attacked from a height in Il
series Of waves, and the hand-to-h hand
lighting that developed, with the artil-
lery of both sides pounding with their
heaviest guns, equalled the hardest
struggle, OF the war
Early i'm the attack the Germans
penetrated the British line 70 a depth
of fifth OF mile east of st. Julien.
Put their success was short lived. The
British came back and the Teutons re-
treated. Previously the Germans at
tackled IN force three times east Of
LangemarCk. and were each time re
pulsed. The third attack at this point
indicated the kaiscr's men were get
ting tired. for they were stopped by ar
ulicry while the British infantry
rested.
The later attacks, and the only sue
c, ssful ones those leading to the re-
capture Of the position south OF the
Nures-Menln road were Influenced in
IL large measure. it is believed. by re
Inducements rushed up during the
night The counter offensive took on Il
rev energy, but the expenditure Of
lives, as liaig reports IL, failed 80
shake the main British positions.
The days lighting was marked by un-
usual activity by the aIrmcn. Aided by
favorable Hcatf7r gcou. airplancs ana
balloons gave Elective service to the
British by locating INC s;orm centres
Of attack and finding The range Cor
Haig's guns. incidentally, the fighting
aircraft swarmc1 over the cNtertec
battle ground. and total Of ten tons
Of bombs were dropped. The stations at
Roulers, Menin and Ledgchom were hit
and an airdromc was bombarded, while
explosives were rained as well on bill
let's IN the vicinity Of Lille and on
masses OF troops marching in the
Ypres-Menin road.
Ten German airships we're brought
down and eight others we're seen 10 de-
scend out of control. The British ad
NIT twelve Of thei- machines failed 70
return.
On the front defended by the French,
according 10 the Paris night statement,
German attempts to rctake ground were
beaten back. The French staged sue
cessful raid on a German trench near
Beausciour, destroying shelters and
bringing back material Of war. On the
Aisne front increased artillery fire is
reported