Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-14
MANY IMPORTANT -
POSITIONS TAKEN
BY HAIG'S FORCES
Fayet Captured by Britons
Rush Toward Cambria
Continues. ,
BULL DOG GRIP
ON WHOLE LINE
!! Accomplish in Few Days
Work which some Thought
Would Take all Summer.


British assaults have broken four
miles more Of tho German front in
an important sector Of the Arras bat
tlefield.
The Hindenburg line has been rid
died on its northern end. Lens is fast
being hemmed. and General Haig's
forces are sweeping back the Ger
mans from the Loos sector far to the
southeast Of Arras.
Correspondents report every indica-
ton OF g. continuation Of the German
retirement under the smashing offen-
sive Of the British. The Teutons arc
being hard pressed as they retreat and
explosions and fires are observed in
their rear.
Great Importance is attached to the
success Of the British north Of Vimy.
They have carried there several I'M
portant positions, including points be-
tween Givencny-en-Gohell and Ang-
res, enabling General Haig to link up
the ground won in the engagements
early this week in the Arras region
with the positions gained long ago in
the costly battle of Loos. This move
mont is resulting in the envelopment
Of Lens. with it's valuable coal fields.
The fall of St. Quentin seems i'm
minent. London reports the capture
by British forces of the village Of
Fayet. one mile northwest Of st.
important fortified position on the
south and Paris today announces tho
French guns hammering st. Quentin
defenses
!, Between st. Quentin and the main
oattleneld OF Arras. British troops
| continue to press forward toward
Cambrai. pushing ahead north Of the
ant.
British Headquarters in France, via
London, April 14.-(From a stafr
correspondent Of the Associated
Press. THE British last night broke
the German front for a distance Of
four miles. The Germans are in re-
treat. -
! The gaps in the German defeases
were made in two places. Positions
on a front of three miles between
the Double Grassier and Civenchy and
another mile on the north flank Of
the Hindenburg trench system were
captured. Advanced posts were push
ed we'll toward Queant and Pronville,
important points in the German de-
lenses.
The Germans are fighting as they
retire from Loos southwark and are
being hard pressed. Fires and ex-
plosions in the territory to the rear
of the German lines continue The
weather today was favorable for
campaigning.
Fayet Captured.
London. April 14-The village Of
Fayet. ono mile northwest OF St.
Quentin, has been captured by the
British after a sharp fight, according
to an official statement issued by the
war Office.
In the direction Of vimy, the Brit
ish seized the Vimy station, Lach-
audiere. and enemy positions between
Progress was also made north Of the
Bapaume- Cambrai road.
Among the guns captured by the
British were four howitzers OF eight
inches.
Hard Grip on Whole lime.
The British have. taken a bulldog
grip on the whole German line from
Loos to north of st. Quentin and re-
fuse to be shaken off.
Under what the newspapers cali
the "Haig plan" first one section Of
the Hindenburg line and then another
has been subjected to violent bonn
bardment followed by infantry attacks
which have badly shaken. if they have
not seriously broken. the front on
which the Germans have depended
for the defense Of the industrial dis
trict Of France. which has been in
their hands for more than two years.
Artillery is Effective.
| While southeast of Arras. the Brit
ish are approaching Queant which is
the northern extremity of the new
fro Hnf w
eral Horne. considered the greatest
British artillery expert in the army
and who assisted General Nivelle in
the successful attack by the French
north Of Verdun last December, COM
mands the British forces around Lens
There, owing to the natural defenses
composed Of waste dumps around the
mines, the artillery must largely be
depended upon. General Horne, who
has on his right the army under Ma
jor General E. H. H. Allenby, who
has also gained new laurers in this
war.
Great Work Done in Few Days.
These generals and their colleagues
under Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haik
have accomplished since Monday a
work which military writer's expected
would occupy q great part Of the sum-
rner. but thus far there has been no
flag waving or celebration in Great
Britain.
The impression prevails that greater
events will soon follow and that with
the fall of Lens. the relief Of Lille
will not be long delayed.
! Active In Champagne.
Paris. April 14.-Artillery nghting
continues with marked intensity in
the Champagne, the war office an
and brought back prisoners South
of st. Quentin there was heavy ar
tillery actions.