The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-07-13
TEUI0NSNtEGkNSy
ALONG WEST Front
Desperate engagements Give
Germans Some Advantages
While Others Are Driven Back
Associated Press BY %. s Naval Com,
munication service) .

&. A-aoaA@eeAoh ooANASoV
NEW YORK, July l2--A series OF
desperate engagements was fought
along the western front yesterday, from
the North Sea TO the Woevre, with the
net advantages going to the Germans.
On the British front in Belgium the
Teutons captured an isolated section of
General Haig's line, while drives at
other sectors we're beaten back On
the Aisne the Crown Prince launched
the most desperate attack made for
some weeks, his men reaching the
French front line trenches, while furth.
or to the east German attempt was
defeated and the aggressors sent hurt
ling back. !.
The fighting in Belgium, which is
still under way, is along the User Riy.
err, from east Of Dunkirk to the North
Sea coast. Taking advantage of misty
weather, which prevents the British air.
men from carrying out their work, the
Germans moved large number of guns
to new positions and opened q partie
ularly heavy bombardment Of the Brit
ish lines, destroying the bridges across
the User and cutting the barbed wire
defenses. 10
Following the bombardment, the Ger
mans made infantry advances at two
points, between Newport and the coast
succeeding in capturing and holding an
isolated section TO a depth of six hun
bred yards along a front Of fourteen
hundred yards. Here, states the Ber-
lin reports, British prisoners to the
number of twelve hundred were taken.
Reinforcements ...a
The second advance in force was
made near Lombaertzyde, but this time
the Teutons were met with resistance
that held them until British reinforce.
ments arrived and threw the Germans
back with heavy casualties.
The objective of the Germans in this
offensive, which is still being main
tanned along a front of fifteen miles,
has not yet been determined. "ts
Further to the south, on the Arras
front, the Germans failed in two at.
tempts to gain ground. Early this
morning the British line east Of
Monchy lie Preux for eight hundred
yards was attacked, the Germans at
tempting to rush the positions in sur
prise attack and failing. A portion. of
the British line was temporarily dent
ed, but all the positions we're regained
by immediate counters. Similar at
tempts TO rush the Canadian advance
posts at Lens were driven back. .t
The official reports from London last
night announced that the intensity of
the German artillery in Flanders was
slackening The British reports make
no reference to the German infantry
attacks at Newport. The sound of the
German guns and the British artillery
reply was plainly heard yesterday IN,
London. Even slight tremOrs from the
conclusion of the heavy pieces were
felt.
The main attack by the Crown Prince
against the French in the LaOn sector
was made late on Tuesday, when the
Germans launched one of the greatest
attacks they have ever made on the
western front, in an endeavOr to smash
the French line at Chemin des Danes.
Their attack carried over the barbed
wire entanglements of "No Man s
Land, and they succeeded in captur-
ing some mOrtars. The fighting was of
the iereest description. Following the
bombardment came the charges and
hand grenades we're freely used. Then
came hand-to hand fighting with bayo-,
nets, French and Germans struggling
in mud waist deep. ,....
Only six Frcnrhmen were captured
and these later attacked and OverpOw-
cred their guards and escaped. ..A
Few prisoners were made by the
French, owing to the desperate fight,
ing on both sides, the percentages of
killing being very high. +" a
Yesterday there was violent artillery
fighting along the Aisne and the Cham
payne fronts, the only important fight
ing being in the Woevre sector, where
the Germans attacked and were driven
back. ...,.,.
The Italians assumed the offensive
against the Austrians again yesterday,
advancing and occupying the town of
Dolina.