New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-29
Terrific Bombardment Be-
Iieved to Presage Drive at
Gap Near St. Quentin
Teutons Win Trenches
In Champagne Attack
Capture 800 Prisoners; Brit
ish, in Rapid Advance,
Take 2 More Villages


London, March 2S.-Heavy pressure
BIZ advancing French and British forces
along the whole Hindenburg line con-
tnued to-day and last night. General
Nlvelle evidently arranged a concen-
trstion of heavy guns in the Essigny-
Benay sector. below st. Quentin, where
Paris reports the development OF vio-
lent artillery duel.
The British occupied the villages OF
VilIers-Faucon and Saulcourt, north of
Roisel, after stubborn fighting, and
forced the Germans back south and
vest of Croisilles, further north.
French forces made important progress
north of the Athlete River and east Of
The Leuilly-Neuville-su Marginal line,
n the Coucy region, north of scissors.
The Germans, vigorously counter at
taeking to maintain the Hindenburg
line. also delivered a powerful blow in
the Champagne, where they report hav-
inc taken several French trenches and
s01 French prisoners. Paris admits
this attack, but declares the Teutons
we're able only to maintain footing in
.ne first line trenches, while their at
tempt against Maisonsde-C Champagne
we're frustrated with heavy losses.
French Strengthening Line
Il Is evident that after the brilliant
French success in the Coucy forest and
A. Coucy-le- Chateau, the British and
French are trying TO straighten their
Nne preparatory to some contemplated
stroke on the part Of Nivelle, presum-
ably in the gap between the lines OF
hills below St. Quentin, where a break
in the German line would double up
their entire front. In to-day's Official
news the bulk Of the advance is credit
ed TO the British, who have hitherto
Jagged somewhat behind the French IN
pursuing the Germans.
General Haig is employing larger
bodies of cavalry, as well as armored
motor cars, in an effort to speed the re-
treat Of the Germans. Following up
Yesterdays successes, British horsemen
CAPTURED Villiers-Faucon and Saulcourt,
taking several prisoners and four ma
chine guns.
Beyond Bapaume British troops
surged forward at two points along the
Boignes-Lagnicour road, and after n
sharp combat with the German rear
guard put them TO fight and main
tanned advanced ground near Croisilles.
The Berlin oficial report refers to
this engagement, and without discuss
ing any exchange of ground, records it
as q German success. The German
war statement also declares that II
cost the British a thousand casualties
10 take Lagnicourt, and describes the
recent French losses in the fighting be-
low La Fere as "sanguinary." On the
other hand, the British report that a
at Equancourt was driven off with
considerable" losses.
The French advance to-day north of
Scissors and below Coucy-le-C Chateau,
which they now hold, was evidently for
the purpose of consolidating these for
est positions below the Coucy plateau.
The Paris statement of the Intensity
OF the mutual bombardment below st.
Quentin indicates that there will be
intense fighting there. The day report
speaks Of the ferocity of the fighting
a. that point last Sunday. Since then
the French have not only maintained
their positions, but have msnaged 70
bring Up park after park of artillery to
press their advantage.
The French report chronicles the
capture Of German prisoners in a sur
prise attack near Rheims, the repulse
Of assaults near Tahure, and the scat
terng by big gun fire of German as
semblies in the Verdun sector, near
Hill 304 and Dead Man Hill.
Allies Lose Eleven Airplanes
A delayed German report refers to
The destruction Of eleven Allied air
planes on Monday and an air attack by
German squadron on Dunhrk. where
the bombing caused extensive fires.
The progress Of the British forces in
the last twenty-four hours is thus sum
married. by Reuters correspondent at
the front:
Taking tho line between Tonga
vesnes and Equancourt as representing
our progress TO Tuesday morning, this
means that VIC pushed forward some
1000 yards. This does not mean, how
ever, an advance OF the whole British
line. In the present phase there IS no
continuous front line, but rather a sue
eession Of posts and patrols, all in
touch with each other. but varying
their positions from time TO time as
opportunity offers for pushing on.
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