The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-03-03
GERMANS HALT
ANCRB RETREAT
Repulsed in Two Attempts
to Make Stand in Front
of Bapaume.
BRITISH STILL PROGRESS
Enemy Has Given Way on II
Mile Front From 2 to 3
Miles in Depth.
BRITISH STILL PROGRESS

LONDON, March 2.-The Germans have
stopped their retirement on the Ancre
and are making q definite stand. Des-
patches from British headquarters in
France announce that the Germans have
given way on front Of fourteen miles
to n depth OF from two to three miles.
The new line evidently runs just in front
Of Bapaume.
This new German line runs at its
northern extremity from Essarts. two
miles northeast of Gommecourt, through
Achiet-le.Petit and the Loupart wood,
north of warlencourt- -Eaucourt and al
most straight west of Bapaume, to a
point half mile southeast of Bapaume.
where 1t joins the old German line near
lie Transloy.
The British progress continued to-day.
but In a smaller area and not to the great
depth Of the early part Of the week. Pa
trolls were pushed forward straight
north Of Warlencourt-Eauc toward
the Loupart wood. This wood, on high
ground, a part Of the Bapaume ridge, is
q typical German field fortress and will
take much effort to capture. The British
advanced also northwest Of Puisieux to-
ward Achiet-le-Petit.
German troops are at last making or.
ish. 1t is significant that both attacks
were from the immediate defences of
Bapaume, intended evidently to prevent
the British getting too close to the
stronghold. Both attacks. youthedst and
southwest of ba2sume. were repulsed.
The German statement simply says
that 'in the Ancre sector there were re-
peated clashes in front Of our positions"
and that some prisoners were taken.
King Congratulated Haig.
. King George has sent the following
congratulatory telegram to Field Mar
shal Sir Douglas Haig. commander OF
the British armies in France:
~ wish to express my admiration OF
the splendid work Of all ranks under
your command in forcing the enemy by
steady and persisting pressure to quit
carefully prepared and strongly fortified
positions. These successes are a httine
sequel to the fine achievements of my
army last year in the battle of the
Somme and reflect great credit upor
those responsible for the drawing up OF
the plan of campaign"
While the German retirement has ap'
psrently all but stopped. 1t Is not ne
lcved impossible that strong Britisf
attacks upon the new line would start
the Germans again moving to the rear
Meantime the task OF connecting
their new positions and building road'
through the former No Mans Land Is
proving an enormous one for the British
~ all the Somme and Ancre area pre-
sents an aspect more or less OF liquit
mud as a result Of the weeks thaw
says a despatch from the front.
The Germans undoubtedly timed theil
:c!rement to take advantage OF this con-
dition OF the ground. The Germans go
started while the ground was In gooe
condition. knowing that the Britist
would have to pursue them when !
was at its worst.
German Troopers Deceived.
In occupying the evacuated territor,
British patrols time after time hav'
encountered isolated groups OF German
defensive troops. the despatch says, wh'
we're carrying out to the letter thei
Instructions to hold positions to the bit
ter end. The remnants Of these groups
when captured, have been loath to be
lieve that their main armies had beef
withdrawn. declaring that they had m
, Idea Of the plans.
One German. who had been total!
blinded by the British artillery fire. wa
found in a shell hole into which he hat
crawled and remained for thirty hours
hoping his comrades would find him
When told they had retreated severa
miles to the rear the man broke dow
and cried bitterly.
The weather is the baffiing elemen
In the present situation. 1t cleare
beautifully yesterday afternoon, with
distinct touch Of spring in the air. bu
during the night the thermometer fel
70 below the freezing point. To-day tn
battlefront is shrouded in impenetrabl
fog.
Text Of Omcial Reports.
The official statements follow:
Britsh-Our troops made further
progress to-day north Of Warlencourt-
Eaucourt and northwest of Puisieux-
su-Mont. Local German attacks made
against our advanced positions north
east Of Gueudecourt and northwest OF
Ligny-Thilloy early this morning were
repulsed with loss. As result of the
nghting on the Ancre to-day We cap
tured one officer, 127 men OF other
trench mortars.
This morning our troops raided Ger
man trenches near Angres and Ca
lonne and northeast of Loos. capturing
twenty prisoners. An enemy raiding
party made an unsuccessful attempt
last night to enter our trenches south
east OF Roolincourt
Hostile artillery showed considerable
activity to-day in the neighborhood
p of Sally -Saillisel. Amentieres an
Ypres.
German-Bet ween Ypres and Arras
several recommending advances Of thu
enemy were fruitless.
After lively fre strong British de-
lachments advanced against oui
trenches east and southeast Of Sou
vhez, They were repulsed. In hand
10 hand fighting twenty prisoners, with
one machine gun. were taken.
IN the Ancre sector there were re-
ptatcd clashes in front Of our posi-