The sun., 1917-03-05
Storm German Lines and
Make Gain of TwO-thirds
of a Mile.
TEUTONS REPULSED
IN VERDUN ATTACK
Enter French Trenches in
Elk Region, but Are
Driven Out.

LONDON, March 4.--Though the Ger
man retirement north Of the Ancre still
continues and new British attack north
Of the Somme has resulted in brilliant
local success, the outstanding fact re-
vsaled by reports from France tonight
10 that the British army now holds the
eatire Somme front.
In the gradual replacing OF French
troops by British in the Somme trenches
that has been going on for upward of
two months the British have extended
the section of the front In France which
they cover by twenty-five miles. The
British now hold almost exactly 100
miles of the 400 mile front in France
~ Belgium The French hold 175
niles.
1t Is considered here that this as
sumption by Great Britain Of more OF
the burden France has borne so long will
make the western front invulnerable to
German attack. The French troops
whom the British have relieved will go
into reserve or to strengthen other parts
u the line,
British Reinforce ments sent.
The new move Is also highly signifi-
cant Of the ever greater part that the
British army is to play in the war" 1t
shows that many more British troops
have been sent to France.
II Is pointed out also that the British
at the same time that they have extended
their line In France are now holding
nearly two-thirds of the 400 mile front
In Macedonia, have sent to Mesopotamia
new army that is driving the Turks
before II and only q few weeks ago
launched at the Turks another army that
drove the Moslems from the Sinai penin-
sula, where they held fortified positions
tor two years.
Official statements from Berlin and
from the British War Office show that
British troops now hold the trenches at
Chilly, the point furthest south at which
the French charged forward In the
Somms offensive. Beyond Chilly the
trench lines have not changed from the
positions before July 1. when the Sonme
offensive began. The British statement
tonight shows that British troops are
at Ablaincourt. five miles north OF
Chilly, where the French had some Of
the most desperate fighting Of the Of
fensive.
Fifteen Miles Frsm somme.
Chilly is nearly fifteen miles south Of
tho Somme 1t was announced recently
that the British extension had reached
the northern bank Of the Somme. and
last week 1t was apparent that some
trenches Immediately south Of the river
had been taken over.
By this shift the British now hold posi-
dons opposite the old French objective.
Ysfonne, and the French objective fur
tAsr south, Chaulnes, with Its railroad
yunction. Chaulnes is only three miles
nvm Chilly. and the trenches the British
took over from the French half en-
circle Chaulnes.
In the fighting Of the day the British
pushed forward on both fianks Of the
hns Of German retirement on both sides
the Ancre, but remained stationary at
ne centre, which is Bapaume. The ad-
aace on the German left, south Of thu
Ancre, was won by hard fighting and thu
pushing homo Of British attack. The
vssman retirement continued north oi
ths Ancrs.
The British attack was made east o
beuehavesnss. Jus. north of Mount st
. ousntin. the key to Peronne. ana soutf
OF BIT. Pierre Vaast wood, driving Z
weoee between these two important posi-
ions. The British stormed the w1,ol,
German first line and support trenches
on front Of two-thirds Of a mile. ant
ssld the ground. beating back sevsra
German counter attacks.
British Push Ahead.
The Germans continued to give way II
no same region as yesterday. east o
oommecourt, at the northern end OF thl
sohe OF retirement. The British movst
anead, In consequence. a distance Of two
tmrds Of mile on front of two miles
reach'ng nearly to the line from Es
sans to Achiet le Petit, now held by tn
AZ Verdun French and Germans hava
come to grips, with the advantage re.
naming In the hands of the French. II
me afternoon the Germans attacked tn,
french positions north Of Elk. east oi
.he Meuse at the point where the trench
INES are nearest to the city itself. Thl
ieutons entered the French first lin,
trenches, but tho French rallied ant
centSsssS On TAtvS Pass.