Omaha daily bee., 1917-02-17
Crown Prince Captures Posi-
tions for Depth of Half Mile
in Champaign in In
fantry Attack, u
PRECEDED BY ART5
-FOUR Trenches on Zap
tured in Furious Etack
by Teutons.
COUNTER CHARGES IN VAIN

Berlin, Feb. l6.-(By Wireless to
Sayville. Troops of the German
crown prince in an attack against
French positions south of Ripont, in
the champagne, yesterday, the war
Office announced today, on front of
about a mile and a half, captured
ground to a>depth of half mile. The
Germans took S5S prisoners, including
twenty-one officers.
The attack, which was preceded by
intense artillery fire, was made mainly
against French positions at Maisons
de Champagne farm and Hill No. 1855,
about one-third of mile south of the
farm. Four lines Of French positions
were stormed in the attack. The
French made counter attacks last
night and this morning, but were re-
pulsed with losses. The German losses
are said to have been small.
The German Statement.
The statement follows:
Western front, army group OF
Crown Prince Rupprecht: Northeast
of Armentieres and south of La Basse
canal and in the Somme sector the ar
tillery attivity continued into the
night. Gatherings of hostile infantry
in trenches north of Armentieres, west
of Lens and on both banks of the
Ancre were shelled by us with devas-
tating fire and no attacks developed.
Army group of German crown
prince: In the Champagne, south of
Ripont, after efficient preparation rem
dered by the artillery and mine throw
ers, an attack was executed by our in
fantry with foresight and energy to
full success.
-Four Lines Taken. -,
"On Maisons de Champagne farm
and Hill No. 1856 four hostile lines on
a width of 1900 meters were stormed
to depth of 800 meters. Twenty
one officers and 837 men of other
ranks were made prisoner. Twenty
machine guns and one mine thrower
were brought in as booty. Our losses
were small. sss=7 ss-st - ~ r}-'@5
"Thc French increased their own
losses in useless counter attacks which
they carried on in the evening and this
morning against the positions taken
from them"
An official communication says En-
peror William has telegraphed the
German crown prince congratulating
him and his troops for their successful
attack against the French in Cham
pagne, which he says maintained their
reputation for smart execution.
Location of Farm.
The Maisons de Champagne farm
aud Hill 1876 are about a mile and
half south of Ripont, which is> on the
main road between the Allure and
Cernay. Ripont is about thirty-three
miles west of Verdun and about the
same distance east of Rheims.
The official statement issued by the
French war office Thursday night re-
ported that German artillery had vio-
lently bombarded French positions in
the sector of the Maisons de Cham
payne farm The communication also
successful surprise attack
by the French west of Butte de Mes
nil. about one mile southwest of Hill
1876.
French Communication.
Paris, Feb. l6.-The war office COM
this morning says:
AT J. O'Clock last night in the
region of Berry Au Brac we carried
out several surprise attacks success
fully and brought back about thirty
prisoners.
"To the west of Les Maisons de
Champagne the artillery activity con-
tinues but without infantry action.
The fire of Our heavy batteries caused
an explosion OF an ammunition depot
at Mancre, to the north of Tahure.
"ln Lorraine, near Nomeny, Ger
man accomplishing party were sur
prised by our fire and scattered The
enemy left behind several dead.
"In the region of Louvemont
artillery fighting has been reported.
In the Vosges, to the south of St.
Marie Pass, an enemy long range gun
fired several shells in the direction
Of Nancy"
~ u'-S ~