Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-02

"
ment from London that despite the
hampering rainfall the British have
negatived the results of one of the
German counter thrusts. completely re-
esta blishing their line in the neighbor-
hood Of the Roulers Ypres railway as
the outcome of a night attack.
Where there may be some inclination
on the part of lay critics to regard with
some misgivings stress laid upon the
bad weather by the official reports that
indicate hold up of the allied advance
military observers at the front appar-
emily are in entire agreement with the
seriousness Of this handicap.
eyes of Guns" Dimmed.
The allies had established air su
periority and the storm has prevented
observation altogether. entailing mac
tivity upon the big guns that are relied
upon to blast path for the advancing
infantry. To the low visibility also has
been attributed such success as the
Germans were able to gain in their
counter attacks, the poor sighting con-
ditions preventing the entente gunners
from massing their fire effectively to
break up the enemy concentrations
Despite the hard fighting in Flanders,
the Germans are continuing their pro-
nounced activity on the French front.
Paris reports two attacks on the French
lines east and southeast of Rheims and
assaults in the Avocourt wood sector in
the Ferdun region, and iT the Apremont
forest, southeast of St. Mihiel. All these
were fruitless for the Germans.
Rain for Forty-Eight Hours.
LONDON. August 2-The British Of
fetal statement of today reads:
"a heavy incessant rain has fallen
throughout the past forty-eight hours.
In the nelghborhood of the fpres-
rtt1n t1Hn-, rInr fha
terday had succeeded at great cost in
gaining a foothold in our advanced po-
sitionS. our counter attack launched
late in the evening drove back the Ger
man infantry at all points and COM
pletely re-established our former lines.
On the remainder of the Ypres battle
front there was no change.
ION the right of the British line |
southeast of Hargicourt our troops |
raided the enemy's posi-
tion and secured prisoners.
Last Nights Report.
The text of last nights statement
reads:
Rain continued to fall throughout |
the day BY successful operation to- i
day on our new battle front our line
was advanced slightly in the neighbor-
hood of the Hillebeke-Z road. !
On the left flank of our attack our
allies gained further ground on the |
east bank of the User canal.
During the night our new positions
east and northeast of Ypres. between
Westhoek and st. Julien. were heavily |
attacked by strong forces of |
the enemy. Our troops successfully
the enemys repeated attempts
to drive US from the important posi-
tions on high ground captured yester-
day in this neighborhood. but under
the weight of his assault and after
t,lh fighting
10 Withdraw our advanced troops from
he village of ST. Julien.
Fierce Fight at Westhoek.
"The fighting was particularly fierce
FOR possession of the village of West
noek, of which we now hold the west
.rn outskirts.
This afternoon the enemy again at
acked in the neighborhood of the
md attempt succeeded in entering our
advanced positions on a narrow front. !
rhe fighting continues
The number of prisoners the Brit
sh captured in yesterdays operations
s now known to exceed 5000, including
number of machine guns and trench
nortars were also taken; the exact
igure has not been ascertaineds'
Airplane Activities. II
Another official war Office statement
N the battle in Flanders issued yes
erday says:
"In spite of the weather which made
lying almost impossible. our airplanes
Kept in contact with our advancing in s
antry throughout the day. The enemy's
irdromes. transport and Infantry were !
lso successfully attacked. with bombs {
nd machine gun IRE. The fey enemy ,