Evening star., 1917-09-28
EFF0RTSTOBREAK
|NTObR|T|SKL|NES
RESULT IN FAILURE
Artillery, Machine Gun and
Rifle Fire Too Much for
Germans at Z0nnebeke.
HAIG'S MEN SIX MILES
FROM VITAL RAILWAY
Cutting of Lille-0stend Line Would
Seriously Handicap Teutons in
Flanders Operations.

Flanders Operations.
Efforts to break into the new ground
won by the British in the renewal Of
the Flanders offensive on Wednesday
are being continued by the Germans.
Failing to shake the British line else
where they tried it out last night at
Zonnebeke where the British have push
ed far along the road to Roulers. The
British artillery, machine gun and rifle
fire was too much for them, however,
and the attack was broken up.
Zonnebeke is an important point for
the British, and their previous efforts to
reach and maintain a hold in 1t had
been desperately resisted by the Ger
mans. Their present position in the
village places them within half dozen
miles of the important north and south
railway line connecting Lille with Os-
tend, on the coast, the cutting Of which,
or its domination at even medium range
artillery fire, would seriously handicap
the Germans in their Flanders opera
tions.
In the Tower Hamlets and Polygon
wood regions. toward the British right
flank. the clearing-up process. which
followed Wednesdays battle was car
ried out further last night. and the
Germans were driven from Isolated
positions, to which strong parties OF
them were clinging.
There has been little other military
activity of a nature to call for mention
in the official statements except In the
nn a
The Germans of the Crown Princes
forces made an attempt last night to
break into the French lines in this
sector. attacking three times. Inese
mans sustaining heavy losses, says To-
days Paris war Office report.
British Break Up Attack.
By the Associated Press.
LONDON. September 2S.-The onicial
statement OF today follows:
Yesterday evening another counter
attack by the Germans against our po-
sitions in Zonnebeke was broken up
by our rife and machine gun hre and
artillery. South of Tower Hamlets and
south of Polygon wood isolated strong
positions in which parties Of the enemy
were holding out close to our new po-
sitions have been cleared up.
I'VE killed or captured several Ger
rying out a successful raid last night
southwest of Cherissy-
THE enemys artillery showed con-
siderable activity during the night
south of Lens. The artillery on both
sides has been active on the battle
front"
Conquest Completed.
By the Associated Press.
BRITISH FRONT IN FRANCE AND
BELGIUM, September 2S.-The British
yesterday continued to strengthen the
line to which they battled their way
Wednesday. The Australians completed
their conquest of the German positions
at the eastern extremity OF Poiygon
wood. Two places secured here repre-
sented the only remaining troublesome
points along the Anzac front, which
reaches northward to the east Of Poly
gon wood.
There has been much hard fighting in
this section, but the weary Germans
apparently withdrew to more favorable
ground farther back and the Austria.
lians pushed forward.
To the south of that point the Ger
mans continue to hammer away with
their artillery at the British defensive
astride the Menin road and make
threats of an infantry assault. The
neighborhood of Hill 40. northwest Of
Sonnebeke. continues to be hotly con-
tested ground. with little give or take
on either side
Win Highest Praise.
Consultations have been completed
by the British in a majority of the
places, the Anzacs having finished this
work on the ground which they won
in well conducted operations that called
out the highest praise from all quar-
ters About nine German counter at
tacks in various stages of preparation
were broken up by the Australians.
Most of these were smashed in their ins
fancy by artillery fire and only two ap-
preached within rifle and machine gun
range.
Late Wednesday a fresh German divi-
sion was rushed up in motor busses for
an attack on the Australian right. They
left the motors at a point a mile in
front of the Australians and about
o clock advanced in three waves preced-
ed by heavy barrage.
Their progress was steady until the
Anzacs put whitening fire on their
ranks from machine guns and rifles.
Then they paused. wavered and finally
turned back. leaving many dead on the
The details of Tuesdays hard fighting
north Of the Menin road. when the Ger
mans made a fierce attack. indicate
that the Anzacs also played helpful
Fart 1t was their determined counter
attack from the north against the Ger
man right flank that had much to do
with forcing back the enemy and the
recovery of positions temporarily lost
Germans Using Old Men.
On the northern front of the new Of
rensiye in the region east of St Julien
some interesting German prisoners were
to be found. A number OF the prisoners
ages were filed with nondescript lot
If middle-aged men who looked far
different from men of the warrior type.
rhey. said the Germans had used up all
of their 1918 class and that, as the 1913
ella IS was not ready. they were calling
Up old men.
One officer captured with some Sax
ms took a very dark view of the Ger
nan situation. He declared that the
var would be over in the spring, and
when asked his reason for this belief
.eplied: Because the Americans will
,e over here then and you will have too
many men for us.
From the British standpoint the sit
,ation resulting from the new offen-
i've is exceedingly satisfactory. Con.
,olidations are proceeding rapidly.
Are Heroes of the Hour.
"rhe two companies of Argyll and
sutherland Hfghlanders. who made such
rlxo of