The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-16
BRITISH TIGHTEN



of VilIaret, southeast of Hargicourt.
It's taking by British troops widens
the wedge thrust against the main
Hindenburg line of communications
from St Quentin to Cambria on
front of approximately five miles.
Villaret is five miles to the north of
Fresnoy-LePeti and Pontru-bothra al
ready in British hands, and both
mile and a half from the Cambrat-
st. Quentin line.
The German defense was centering
around Monchy lie Preux.
The enemy attack at Monchy on
Saturday." Haig's report asserted to-
day, was pressed in the most deter
mined manner. The Third Bavarian
division was again hurried as a re-
enforcement to the German line and
ordered to re-take Monchy at all
costs. Its losses, like that of other
German troops, was exceptionally
heavy.
Gets Guns and Ammunition.
Obstinate of the booty captured at
Lievien and along the Souchez river
is not available yet. but it was exceed
ingly large, including some siX-inch
naval guns and many thousands of
rounds of ammunition of all calibers,
as far as eight-inch guns"
French Gains in Alsace.
Paris, April 16.-Violent artillery
firing along almost the whole of the
French front, with vigorous French
offensive raids at half a dozen places
penetrating the German lines in AL
SAGE, were reported in today's official
statement. The artillery combat, was
particularly intense on the front from
scissors to Rheims.
All night between st. Quentin and
the Disc the French artillery poured
a destructive fire on German positions.
South of the Disc river the state
ment said further progress was made
to the east by the French forces on
Barisis plateau and Quincy Bassee.
In the Champagne east of Aubrives,
two German attacks were checked
Following tremendous artillery
preparation in Lorraine and Alsace,
French attachments entered German
trenches at several places" the war
office asserted.
In Alsace." the report continued,
French attachments reached the sec
ond German lines at six different
Places
Destroying Lens Mines.
London, April 16.-Altho British pa
trolls have been in the streets of Lens
and General Haig's- men are in the
outskirts OF st. Quentin, the fall of
neither of these towns has as yet been
officially announced
The Germans, it is apparent, have
sent in their reserves and are making
g, desperate defense to enable their
of the mines and factories of Lens.
Counter attacks which the Germans
have launched at Monchy and Lagni-
court suggest that, the British are
approaching dangerously near the
new German line which according to
unofficial accounts, the Germans had
no time to complete before the Of
fensive was launched.
\ Wild Haste Evident
Battlefront dispatches today re-
vealed the wild haste of the German
troops to withdraw great supplies of
food, ammunition and guns out of the
doomed cities of Lens and St. Quentin.
Flames were to be seen in both towns
from the British lines now holding the
suburbs of both cities-forty-f five
miles apart.
Just such attacks as those on
Monchy were to be expected from the
Germans on the whole British often
sive front. Unable to stem the DOW
erful tide of the British advance AT
the two pivotal cities in their line.
/ Lens and St Quentin-the Germans
| were apparently concentrating big
/ forces for counter attacks at interme-
date points.
BeIgians Score Easy Advance.
Occupation of DiXmude by BeIsian
troops, without opposition from the
Germans. gave hint to experts here
today that the Germans may be plan
the west front Some believe this re-
treat might even carry the Germans
back to the Belgian border.
Such n maneuver would greatly
shorten the German line and there
fore release 4 mass of men fory defense
against the smashing British and
French attacks