New-York tribune., 1917-12-03
British Now Down
Waves Of Teutons
Attacking Masnieres

WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE, Dec. Mine separate coun-
ter attacks launched against Masnleres
by strong German forces yesterday
we're all repulsed after most sangui-
nary fighting. although the British
pulled their line back somewhat TO
lessen the sharp salient there. An in
tense battle ragged all day, and 1t Is
stated that the British killed more
Germans between daylight and dark
than in any similar period since the
war began. 1t was practically con-
tinuous fight from the start of the first
counter attack.
The enemy infantry kept surging for
ward in waves, and as each came up II
was caught by the fire from the artil-
lery, rifles and machine guns. The at
tacking forces we're moved down like
wheat before the wind, but with char
acteristic Prussisn discipline they con-
tinued to fill their ranks and advance
until after the ninth assault had failed
Germans Routed From Suburb
During the afternoon the Germans
.uccseded in capturing Les Roesvertes
a suburb south OF Masnieres, but a
British counter attack delivered at. 3
O'clock pushed the enemy out again
German guns on elevations south and
southeast of Masnieres late yesterday
acre conducting "a heavy bombardmen'
against the town.
The British line at that time bulged
around Masnieres in very sharp sa-
hent. which made the position an un,
anyiable one to hold at best. II seemed
quite apparent that If the British
sbould decide to withdraw slightly IN
the neighborhood of Mssnieres and es-
tablish their line on the southeastern
outskirts of the place their whole front
would be much improved, as the British
line was entirely dominated by the
high ground in the possession Of the
Germans.
British Make Other Attacks
The British, a little before 2 O'Clock
this morning, made q local attack IN
moonligh, on the German positions
north and northeast of Passchendaele
and about the same time a minor as
sault against the enemy front, north
west of Goeberg These attacks ap-
near to have gone well as whole.
The British were held up in the cen
ire along the ridge for a time, but for
me most part were reported TO have
reached their detectives and to have
penetrated from 800 TO 400 yards at
numerous points. The attack about
Goeberg involved two strong German
fortifcations.
'If the gain to the north, along the
ridge. is confirmed, II viii mean that
the British have added much to the
completeness of their operation in this
region.
British Continue Attacks
The British yesterday and last night
continued their counter offensive oper-
ations in the Councillor sector, which
was overrun by the Germans on Friday
in an attempt 10 wrench off the salient
which the British last week drove IN
about Bourbon Wood. The mopping up
of Gonnelieu, which was reeaptured by
Haig's troops Saturday, was completed
during the night. About 300 prisoners
were taken in this place Fifty prison
ers also were brought out of Les Rues
Vertes after a British counter attack.
All told, the Germans lost many hun
dreds OF prisoners IN yesterdays oper-
ations.
After recapturing Gauche Wood the
british continued their pressure in this
region and pushed up still further or
the higher ground to the southeast OF
the wood One British tank captured