The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-10

eEhMAN LINE IN FLANDERS
PUSHED BACK AGAIN.
An 0bjectives Won and Held Against
Counter Attacks-German Loss
Heayy-British Light.

The anticipated renewal Of Field
Marshall Haig's big offensive i'm Fiand-
trs has begun. and all the detectives of
The first day have been won and held.
AS In the preceding attacks. the Ia
test one was timed to the minue. The
British forces at the given signal at
daylight swarmed out OF their trench
&c over ground that had been harrow
ed by shells from the great array Of
artillery and all along the front OF
more than eight miles from south of
Tower Hamlets to the north of Lange-
narck they made notable new gains
of terrain. inflicted heavy casualties on
The Germans while themselves suffer-
ing slight losses and took many pris-
oners. large numbers OF whom gladly
surrendered In order to reach haven
of safety from the maelstrom.
The attack was delivered with all
the dash OF previous offensives and
swiftly and surely the Britishers. not
withstanding heavy counter attacks at
various points. took positions that had
been marked out for them. some of
them TO a depth OF more than a mile.
The main ridge OF the heights running
north und south to the east OF Ypres
which affords n dominating point for
the launching Of further attacks, Ii
nearly all In the hands Of the British
and at several points the Ostend- Lille
railroad now n virtually within the
range OF Haig's guns.
More than 5000 German prisoners
had been passed behind the lines when
the latest Official communication con.
eerning the days hghting was sent and
many others were being gathered in.
Especially bitter fighting occurred tc
tho cast OF Zonnebeke. the nearest
point OF approach to the railway line
which connects Ostend. Zeebrugge and
other northern points OF supply with
the German line TO the south. The ef-
forts OF the Germans TO stay the Brit
ish here were fruitless. however, as
likewise were their efforts further
north In the region OF Polecapelle
where the British gained ground to a
depth Of about two-thirds Of a mile.
There has been no cessation In the
extremely violent artillery duel be-
tween the French and the Germans on
the westbank of the Meuse River In
the Verdun sector. The Germans have
made another infantry attack agains,
the French north Of Hill 344, but again
were repulsed.
Near Jacobstadt on the Russian
front, a big battle apparently is pre-
pared for. Here Petrograd reports an
intense artillery duet In progress
which probably indicates that the Ger
mans are seeking to pave the way for
an attempt 10 cross the Dvina River.
TO the south. the Germans again are
cndeavoring to fraternize with the
Rus,ians. The Russians. however,
are answering the enemy by firing up
on them.
In the Austro-Itallan theater Gen.
eral cadorna's forces have been forced
10 sustain further heavy counterat-
tacks from the Austrians on the
slopes OF Mont San Gabrielle. The at
tacks came to naught under the Ital-
Ian artillery and rifle fire.
French airmen are continuing their
reprisals on German cities and towns
Tor the aerial bombardment of Bar-le-
Duo. Frankfort Main and Rastatte
Baden have ben effectively shelied
from the air. In addition. the British
and French flyers are continuing their
raids over German points Of military
advantage behind the hghting line.
again having loosed large quantities
Of explosives upon them.
The British cruiser Drake has been
topedoed by n German submarine
With the loss OF one officer and IS men
killed.