Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-16
British Continue to Widen
Gap in the Hindenburg Line,
Overcoming Stern Resistance

From STAT Correspondent of the Associated Press
BRITISH HEADQUARTERS IN
FRANCE, April Is. via London.-The Brit
tsh continued today gradually to widen the
second gap cut in the Hindenburg line
north of st. Quentin, having captured the
position known as the THE Three Saw
ages" east Of Gricourt St. Quentin
continues to burn. Away to the north.
Lens still holds out The Germans have
several strong positions about the city to
which they are clinging.
The British apparently would like to
take Lens without INJECTING too great
damage from IN extensive bombardment
They have always been in a position to
reduce the city to ruins. but the shells
have been directed against selected spots
Known to be used for military purposes
by the Germans Nevertheless. the Ger
mans continue their work of destroying
the city by blowing up buildings
German Attacks Desperate.
Further details of the fighting yes
terday show the desperate character of
several German attacks on the new Brit
ish positions. The attack which was
essayed from both sides of oueant and
temporarily pierced the British line at
LAsnicourt was exceptionally bitter. It
began 81 l:se o'clock Sunday morning
and continued for three hours without
interruption Brtush advanced posts
were driven in, but the support units
Joined he Issue with the Germans
Many hand-to-hand encounters fol-
lowed There was also more accurately
aimed rifs shooting than for many
nstpf a.
fell in clumps. They attempted to seek
cover behind bushes and in small thick
cts. The British fired into these with
good results When the reserves came
UP at last. the Germans broke into full
night.
Hundreds of them were caught in their
own wire entanglements as they at
tempted to regain their trenches, and
they died by scores. Prisoners were
taken along the six-miIe front of the
German attack, more than 500 being
brought in.
There was lighting all day about
Monchy-Le-Preux. east of Arras, which
already had witnessed some fierce en-
Gan. Monchy, in its way. Is little
vtmy ridge ali BY itself, standing sem
tinei a. the last high ground over miles
UPON miles Of plains sweeping east
Two days after the Arras battle opened,
ana have launched half Q score Of coun-
ter attacks against 1t without success.
Artillery Scatters Germans.
The place lends itself to counter at
lacks because of outlying woods. where
the troops ordinarily could assemble
unohssrved. There were morning and
afternoon attacks yesterday In both
instances the intention of the Germans
dtlenvered nd
the woods, scattering a large percent
age OF the formations
There has been notable air fighting
over Monchy. and many machines have
been brough; down there in the last
two days. Large German formations
have attacked the British scouts. and
the patter of machine guns overhead
has been almost continuous during the
daylight hours. The Germans. as a
rule. are careful air fighters, and yir-
tually never attack unless they out
number the British three or four 10
one. single German machine il sell
dom sighted. They have come to be
known as gang air fighters" but their
tactics of lying in walt high above the
neecy clouds and darting upon an t.o-
lated foe does not perturb the British
niers. The British continue to police
the air. not only behind their own
front. but far into German territorv
ana say they naturally suffer the same
casualties as police force would from
eneountering ambushed attacks from
outlaws The weather continues fay-
cradle 10 the German methods of avoid
ing open-air conflicts. Even on the
clearer days the sky is filled will
eiouds, which offer protection and hid
ing places for the hish-wineing Ger.
man machines.