New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-15
Ypres Salient Is Widened
in Langemarck
Battle
Artillery Fire
More Intense
Big Guns Are Active on
Whole Western
Front


British pressure in the region of LANCE
marck, north Of Ypres, developed to-day
into a smart blow by which the Ger
mans were driven back across the
Steenbeke River, east of the Ypres-
Thourout railway. The action was
local one, but it helped TO widen the
Ypres salient and definitely wrested the
control Of the west bank of the stream
from the Germans, who now stand less
than half a mile from Langemarck'
The enemy again and again attempted
TO recapture his lost positions through
out the day, bu. could not break the
British grip on them.
In addition to the fighting on the
Steenbeke River, the British night
communicate tells of an early morning
German attack to regain the positions
recently lost around Westhoek. IL
failed 10 make much progress under
the British barrage, and only pushed
hack two of the advanced posts rev
wards. East of Laventie, German ralo-
ers entered the British lines on the
second attempt, but were az once
elected. Three companies OF Germans
advanced upon the Portuguese posi-
tions at Neuve Chapelle, but met sucn
a reception of bombs that they had 10
retire. leaving some prisoners. Der
lin saws that a large number of the
Portuguese were captured. The Ger.
man War Office also declares that
strong Allied attacks are being pre-
pared in Flanders and at Verdun.
Though the Germans proved most
aggressive in the air yesterday, BTU
ish fiers carried out all werk SET
for them, in several cases attacking
enemy troops, both in the trenches and
in the open, with machine guns. Two
British machines were lost, whlio
eleven hostile planes were shot down.
The fghting on the Steenbeke was
mart Of the methodical work OF prepa-
ration for a renewed offensive whlch
General Haig is carrying through at
various points east and north OF fpres'
The storming of Westhoek Ridge was a
necessary preliminary TO further ad-
vance and doubtless there will be ad-
ditional attacks at LangemarcK pre-
eeding the next big drive. 49,
Meanwhile the artillery fire, inter
united now and again by showers, con-
timed to develop to-day, and at umes
hn.enoe violent over the whole front
from the Lys to the Channel, lnciudlng
The sector held by the French and the
narrow front still guarded by the
Pslgians. who have carried out hres OF
against the enemy trenches
and have sent their aviators INTO 'ne
thick Of the fighting.
German Attack Fails
The German batteries have been ex-
..arnelv busv along the coast near
N I. and Lombaertzyde, which
80 Saya held under an intense hre
IN t,yo davs. throughout the Ypres
salient and south Of the Searpe h'y er
in Artois, using a quantl!y oi @
shells. In this region last hlgi1I, aIons
the Arras- Cambria road, the DeInahlS
attempted a strong surprise s.;i1'
which failed signally, as the nos.' ss
infantry found itself charging AGross
the open into gust of bullets i'o'"
british rifles and machine guns
On the other hand, Haig's men Gom
Quoted a highly successful rsiu assrl";
the enemy lines near Hulluch' morn -
Lens. where they got numoeI % pa
oners and destroyed many dugouts' Az
Verm.lles also the British raiders pIoSe
tbrough at two points and rendered tne
German trenches indefenslple' "hite
csar Lens the Canadians swarmed lHtG
enemy territory in another successful
Ia Tho enemy attempted a thrust
near Roeux, north OF the Searpe' WIN"
failed TO reach the British iihes'
Little Infantry Activity
There was little infantry action last
IL. or today on the three man
fronts held by Petain's troops Delow
G. Quentin. but the artillery duel
arornd Verdun has risen almost 70
Srum fire. Last night French CON
tingents penetrated the German ine s
near Rheims in two places ana re-
nnIsed German assaults IN the Chah !,
nagne. Enemy surprise attacks east Oh
CoTnv. in the Caurieres wood' heai
Verdun. and toward Carspsch, IN Al
SAGE. resulted only in the french YAK
ing a number Of prisoners.
one of the correspondents at the
f,ort describes a spectacular air hght
last night over the Britsn hheS. ~
British pilot met three hostlle pIdness
al a height Of 1000 feet and engaged
them ali. All four machine guns, began
10 bark furiously, but the briCoh'
though outnumbered, managed 10 rise
above his antagonists and punctureu
tbe nctrol tanks of two OF the enemy
Th.se machines crashed down IN
atarJ ~ Aame. and the third German