Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-18
FRENCH HOLD GAIN,
CUTTING UP ENEMY
German Counter Attacks Fail
to Change Results at
Verdun.
FIERCE BATTLE FOUGHT

There is notable activity along the
western front. The French at Verdun
have just completed an important opera
ton in the realignment Of their front
northwest Of Verdun. which was disturbed
by German attacks in the vicinity Of Hill
,204 late last month.
The French. in fact, carried their
successful counter attack even beyond
the original line and drove nearly two
thirds of mile into the German front
from Avocourt wood to west of Hill
304, about a mile and half.
The new ground is being firmly held,
several counter thrusts undertaken by
the crown princes troops last night
being cmpletely repulsed.
On the British front there is pro-
nounced aerial activity and there has
been a notable amount Of heavy work
done by the artillery, particularly along
the lines In Belgium.
French Hold Firm.
BY the Associated Press.
PARIS, July 18.-The official state
ment of today follows:
"The artillery fighting became rather
violent late at night east and west Of
Cerny. We repulsed surprise at
tack on a small post north of Vienne lie
Chateau. on the western border OF the
Argonne, and took number of pris-
oners.
"On the left bank of the Meuse. after
violent bombardment. the Germans
made several counter attacks on the
positions we captured yesterday, from
Avocourtt wood as far as the western .
were defeated by the heroic resistance
Of our troops. which inflicted sanguf-
nary losses on tho Germans without
yielding to them the slightest part OF
the conquered ground
"a German attack near the Calonne
trench was without result. The night
elsewhere was calm.
The text of the statement issued last
night reads:
"Both artilleries were active in the
region Of Cerny. Allies and the Cali
fornie plateau.
"In the Champagne the enemy re-
newed his attacks north of Mont Teton
and regained a footing at certain
points in trench elements captured
July IA. The artillery action continued
violently in the sector of Mont Haut.
where we organized the ground gained.
Success on the Meuse.
"on the left bank Of the Meuse an
operation carried out by US this morn
ing west of Hill 3O4 developed COM
plete success for US. After strong ar
tiilery preparation our troops about
GAS o'clock advanced to attack the en-
emy lines with irresistible spirit Not
withstanding the energetic defense of
the Germans. we recaptured in a few
minutes trenches which the enemy had
occupied since June 20.
Pushing our advantages farther, we
carried German positions beyond on
front Of $500 meters on both sides of
the road between Esnes and Malan-
court. The entire first German line fell
into our hands. A little later the sec
haSn TO
gagement. in which admirable vaior
was displayed by our soldiers, was like
wise conquered
"The advance reached depth of
about one kilometer Our line has thus
been carried forward from the southeast
ern end of Avocourt wood as far as the
western slopes of Hill 304, passing
through Camard wood.
Counter Attacks Crushed,
Several counter attacks launched by
the enemy In the course Of the after
noon were crushed by our fire. The
Germans suffered very heavy losses.
The number of unwounded prisoners
reached 425, of whom eight were Of
ficers.
batteries directed their fire today
chiefly against our communications and
batteries behind Steenstraete."
British Improve Position.
LONDON, July 1.-THE official re-
port from British headquarters in
France reads:
1--WE captured few prisoners and
improved our position somewhat in the
course of local fighting early this
morning east of Monchy le Preux.
although handicapped by thick
clouds and strong winds. our airplanes
carried out a great deal of successful
work yesterday in conjunction with
! the artillery. In addition. our raiding
machines dropped a large number Of
bombs on various points of military
Importance behind the enemys lines.
place in the air. as result Of which