Evening star., 1917-09-23

the British wrested from them on
THURSDAY. the Germans continue to
launch desperate counter attacks from
their battered Flanders line ana TO
combat with determination every ef-
fort of Field Marshal Haig's forces to
improve their positions. This fighting
ha. been very costly to the Germans
in casualties, and the London official
statement lays stress on the exceed
inely severe character of their losses.
The German command seems particu- =
larly reluctant to surrender the slight
elevation west of Gheluvelt. close to
the Ypres- Menin road. Fierce nshtlhs
developed there Saturday. the engage
ment centering about the posi'io'i
known as Tower Hamlets.
British Retire at One Point.
LONDON. September 22.-Heavy fight.
ing was in progress all day north OF
the Ypres-Menin road. according 10 tne
ofic;al report from British headquar-
ters in France tonight. Strong German
counter attacks were repuiseo. oue ~,
,ra-e connelled to retire slightly. The
There was heavy fighting during the
dav south of the Ypres-Menin ROAD.
The enemy did not succeed IN REGAIN
ing possession OF Tower Hamlets ridge
,brea strong German counter attacks
being repulsed-
advanced troops to retire shghtly from
the ground gained YESTERDAY. but the
whole positions cap'ureu SepteHioei ~
were retained.
..The favorable weather resulted in
great activity in the airplanes and bal
looms. which ranged the guns on the
hostile batteries, troops, trenches ana
the shell holes.
'.Ten and a half tons of bombs were
dropped on the Roulers. Menin and
Ledeghem stations. an airdrome. BILL
let's in the vicinity of Lille and masses
of troops and transports on the 1pres-
Menin road.
Ten German airplanes were brought
down in fighting and eight others
were brought down out of control.
Twelve of our machines are missing.
including two which have not re-
turned from a bombing raid.
British in Bombing Raids.
Thursday night and Friday morn
ing" says a British admiralty state
inent today, bombing raids were made
by our naval aircraft on the following
military detectives: Aertyoke. Sparap-
pelhoek and Thourout airdromes, and
the Thourout railway station. Bombs
were also dropped near the Atelier de
la Marine. at Ostend. large guam
tity Of bombs were dropped with good
results.
..The bombers were attacked by nu-
driven off with the assistance of the
Royal Flying Corps patrol. All our ma
chimes returned safely"
Slight Giving and Taking.
BY the Associated Press.
WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES IN
FRANCE AND BELGIUM. September
22-Hard fighting developed during the
night at various points along the front
Of the new British offensive east of
Ypres as a result of several heavy
counter attacks by the Germans. But
while local battles are still continuing
the enemy was thrown back in most
places with severe losses. Generally
speaking, the situation remained un-
changed, although there has been some
slight giving and taking of more or
less unimportant posts along the line.
One of the heaviest counter attacks
made by the Germans during the night
was west of Gravenstafel ridge, about
a mile and a half north of the Ypres-
Roulers railway. The enemy surged
forward from an elevation in mass for
nation and hurled themselves against
the British lines along a front of near
ly a mile It is reported that the Ger
mans advanced under white flag prior
to the attack. and If they did they were
fully rewarded for their treachery. for
they were repulsed with very heavy
losses.
Dead Strewn Over Ground.
The assault here was most deter
mined and sanguinary fighting follow
ed. At one point the onrushing enemy
penetrated the British line for dis
tance of a fifth of mile, but was
quickly driven out at the point of the
bayonet. and the whole attacking force
was compelled to retreat. leaving the
rrnund sfreWn with dead and wnnnded