Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-08-01

crushing defeat in General Haig's great
offensive on the third battalion of Ger
man infantry guards, which was En-
peror Williams crack body OF troops.
The terrain in, this new battle zone
presented tremendous difficulty for the
attacking troops.
Between Dixmude and the point
where the Ypres- Confines canal crosses
the lines on the lower part of the
Ypres salient, the two great forces
have been impeded for three years and
this portion of the line had come to
'be looked upon as mpregnable for
|either side.
"No Mans Land Battle Field.
The present battle field between Dix
nude and Luzerne was mo mans
land" within whose borders lay
marshes and morasses which in winter
months are impossible. This formid-
able natural barrier was rendered still
stronger by the inundat:on Of large
areas by the release of waters from
the canals. The Germans and allies
alike seeking bits Of dry land for a
footing swung so far apart In some
places that the distance in some places
between the lines was three miles. Be-
low this section opposing lines followed
either bank OF the Yser canal and then
went on the Ypres salient, face to face.
but with the Germans holding the
dominating high land about the salient
The Dixmude- LuZerne section of the
front Is a wilderness of partly inun-
dated and deserted farms dotted with
pools Of brzckish water and cut into
strange shapes by drainage bitches.
There are but few remaining civilian
habitations tn this mo mans land"
Crumbling cottage walls and an oc-
casional roof1ess church rose above the
flats.
Neither Side Feared Attack.
Neither side feared a surprise at
tack or trench raid. Since Duke Al
brechts Wurtemberg troops were
up in the flood let loose by
opening up the sluice gates in October,
1914, the enemy had not tried to cross
the marsh nor had they tried to ge.
over the User since the beginning of
spring in 1915 after sanguinary fighting
flung them back across the bridgehead
lat Luzerne.
The Ypres salient itself furnished as
nasty problem as could be presented
TO an attacking army. The country
here Is saucer-shaped and the Ger
mans had held the lip Of this saucer.
All the lower lying land within this
district had been dominated by the
enemy who could send a stream of
shells and mAchine-gun fire into the
advancing ensGny.
Heavy rain which continued In an
|unceasing dounpour since -lsst night.
|transforminE the battle ground In Fan
ders Into = sea Of mud. had forced q
comparative lull In Interpretations this
lmorn1ng Il most points where the zone
Of the entente allied offensive begun
|yesteraay.s ~
Generaly speaking thes situation to.
day was unchanged along the British
front. Several German counter attacks
were repulsed during the night and
the heavy artillery duel continued.
Troops Engaged Largely British.
London, Aug. 1.-According to re-
ports! from special correspondents, the
great majority Of British troops en-
gagged in the latest assaults are Eng
Ilish. altho there are some Scotch.
Welsh and AustSaliaps.
It IL said thee Germans are now en-
ploying new scheme Of defense which
depends principally upon organization
for counter attacks. They now dimin-
1sh their garrisons and by the same
amount increase the strength Of tn =:
support and reserves who hold rear
lines in force.