The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-12-21
GERMANS ATTACK
ON BRITISH FRONT
FOLLOW UP ARTILLERY BOMs
BARDMENT WITH THRUST
BY INFANTRY.
CAUGHT WITH MACHINE GUNS
Bavarans Advancing in Waves Are
Moved Down Like Grains-Ger-
mans Continue to Reinforce
Lines Facing Britons.

London, Dec. 15.-The Germans, fol-
lowing up their heavy artillery prep
arations of recent days, have attempt
ed to drive a wedge into the British
line west of Cambria, but although
they used numerically superior forces,
their effort brought them only a
minor gain.
The attack, launched between Bulle-
court and Queant, was similar to-
that adopted by Crown Prince Rup-l
precht's troops when they pierced Cen
eral Byng's front southwest of Cam
brai, nearly two weeks ago, and caus-
ed retirement of the British on the
salient General Byng previously had
driven toward Cambria. A like pur-i
pose doubtless was involved in the
latest offensive and for it's execution
huge waves of Bavarians were thrown
upon the sector in an endeavor to-
overpower the defenders. The Brit
ish, however, held tenaciously to their
ground, except at one point, where the
enemy penetrated a front line posi-
ton.
AS in their previous attack to wreck
the Cambria salient, the Germans lost
heavily in the enterprise, the British
moving them down with machine gun
and rifle fire in the fighting, which
lasted from dawn until 1 o'clock in the
afternoon. The spot chosen for the
attack was similar from a strategic
standpoint to that near Gonnelieu,
where the offensive of a fortnight ago,
began and, had it succeeded, another
retirement by the British on the Cam
brai sector probably would have been
necessary.
Notwithstanding their failure, the
Germans are keeping up an intense
bombardment on British and French
positions all along the western front,
and daily are receiving additional re-
In men and munitions
from the eastern theater.
Snow is falling heavily in the noun
tains along the northern italian 'front.'.
and optimism prevails among the Ital-i
ans that this will aid them definitely
N holding the Austro-Germans back
from the Italian plain. Amid the first
nurries of the storm the enemy rel
sumed his attack among the hills, and
was rewarded by the capture Of sew
sral positions. Later, however, the
italians, in a counter attack, regained
heir lost territory, after which the
artillery duels were resumed, but with
ess strength than previously had BEEN
hown.
The Cossacks under General Kals-
lines and the Bolshevili forces are
eported to have met in at least two
lights, with the counter revolutionists
he victors in both. The engagements
occurred at Mohilev and at Tamanov-
"a, and the Bolsheviki losses are de-
Jared to have been heavy.
General Allenby, commander of the
British troops in Palestine has entered
erusalem and taken over control Of
he Holy City. The populace greeted
he British commander cordially. I'M
proclamation he told the inhabitants
hat all sacred buildings and holy
laces would be protected and main
aimed. Meanwhile the British army
it's operations in Palestine!
aving captured several additional po-
tions from the Turks.
Tweuty-one British merchantmen
ere sunk by mines or submarines
lst week, as against seventeen the
revious week.