Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-09-21
HOLD NEwLY-woN POSITIONS.
British Retain RedoubtabIe Strong
holds Taken in Thursdays Drive.
tot

BY the Associated FTeSS.I
British Headquarters in France,
Sept. 21.-The British offensive which
began at dawn over a wide front over
the Ypres salient found the attacking
forces late today, holding many posi-
tions Of vital importance and contin-
uing the fight in German territory along
line which in many places represent :
ed an average gain of mile in depth.
Such redeubtable strongholds as
Nuns wood, Glencorse wood, Inverness
Copse and Shrewsbury forest, which
have withstood numerous serious as
saults recently, were entirely overrun
by the British, who reached points well
beyond them.
Heavy fighting was continuing at
close range at various points and the
Germans were massing their troops
with the evident intention Of counter
attacking
Gains Of Crucial Importance.
1t has been a day Of great success
for British arms. The possession OF
Ypres unquestionably is of crucial i'm
portance since these dominating poN-
tions form the keystone Of the German
structure Of defense in this sector. The
greatest gains have been made be-
tween nSt. Julien and Hollebeke, which
was as had been planned, tor within
this stretch Of country lie the impor-
tant German defenses.
The troops that went out to the at
tack represented some Of the finest
men in the British army. They en-
tered the conflict in high spirits. eager
for the fray Their advance Was pre-
ceded by pne Of the most perfect and
heaviest bArrage fires yet attempted.
The men went "over the top" stripped
light and as the result Of this, coupled
with the fine artillery support, they
were able to negotiate the first STACEY
Of the DIFFICULT ground rapidly. \
+ They had sSsspt thru dlencorse
wood, Inyerness:C :Copse anu the eastern
partsof Shrewsbury forest by S-o'clock,
two hours and twenty-five minutes at
ter the attack began. Other advanced
positions were reached with equal
rapidity, which Is remarkable accom-
plishment in view of the marshy nature
of the ground after the heavy rain.
Bitter Fight For Schuyler Farm.
II On the left Of the line attacked heavy
fighting developed on either side Of the
Zonnbeke -Langemarck road. num-
Der Of strongly fortified farms were en-
countered in this region and bombed
into submission. Among these was
Schuyler farm, short distance south
east OF st. Julien. Schuyler farun held
out long against attacks and continued
to play on the British with machine
guns until 1t was taken.
Strong resistance was encountered at
a redoubt on the Ypres-Roulers rail-
way west Of Zonnbeke. This redoubt,
massive concrete steel structure,
withstood all Of the shell fire poured
against it.. The British advanced on
two sides and stormed the place with
bombs until its occupants raised the
white flag.
Similar tactics were played in the
taking of stronghold west Of West
hoeke.
The British casualties so far are re-
markably light.
Importance Of Air Service.
British airplanes again dominated
the air. They were thick over the line
Of the British advance and carried on
vigorous warfare back Of the Ger
man positions, where tons Of high ex-
plosive bombs were dropped.
A large number of prisoners already
have been brought in, but 1t is impos-
sible to give an exact estimate Of the
total.