Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-24
b|TTEREST BATTLE
OF ALL NOW RACES
TO EAST. OF ARRAS
Despite Great German Tenac-
ity, Gen Haig Continues to
Strike Telling Blows.
ST. QUENTIN CANAL
REACHED BY BRITISH
Beaucamp, Villers-Plouich and Other
Towns Taken-Teutonic Counter
Attacks Are Futile.


What is apparently the bitterest
fighting Of the present Anglo French
offensive is raging today along the Wo-
tan line. the hastily organized position
east Of Arras to which the Germans re-
tired when the northern end of the
line was turned by Gen.
Haig. The Germans are putting forth
a supreme effort to hold this vital por-
tion of their defenses, the crumbling of
which would expose Douai and Cam
brai and bring into prospect another
great retreat. The tenacity and power
with which the Germans are fighting
leaves the issue for time in doubt.
The semi-open character of the fight
ing affords little opportunity for the
use of the great howitzers. these mon
sfrous engines of destruction being hest
adapted for the smashing of permanent
defenses The battle is being waged
largely with machine guns and field ar
tillery. and the meager reports from
the fighting line indicate heavy losses
on both sides, although the British
claim that their casualties are moder-
Push Home Telling Thrust.
While continuing to deliver hard
blows upon the German lines in the
Scarpe river region, east of Arras.
where their offensive was resumed yes
terday. the British have pushed home .
telling thrust in another sector Of the
great battlefield.
Striking south of the Bapaume- Cam
brai road. Cen Haig's forces gained
greatest moment. however. was the sue
cess Of the drive in reaching the important
waterway between st. Quentin and Cam
brai, the st. Quentin canal
The canal was cut at a point east OF
Epehy, near Vendhuille. In reaching 1t
here the British pressed to within ap-
proximately two miles Of LIE Catelet. .
railway junction point on the canal to the
south toward St. Quentin
Two Villages Captured.
Pushipe along the Peronne- ambrai
railway farther north. Gen. Haig's troops
captured the villages OF Reaucamp and
villers- Plouich. which places them a bare
three miles from Marcong. another i'm
portant railway center three and one half
miles southwest of Cambria.
On the main line Of the Arras battle
front extending twelve miles from
Croisilles to north Of Gavrelles. the Brit
ish have not only maintained their posi-
tions against the desperate counter at
tacks the Germans are delivering in an
effort to stem the tide against them at
this vital spot. but have made additional
progress east Of Monchy- -le- Breux- a11
near Roeux.
Severe Night Fighting. i
By the Associated Press.
n Il aD-
fetal statement OF today follows:
Severe lighting continued yesterday
evening and at intervals during the
night on our whole front, from CroisiIles
to the north OF Gavrelie. The enemy
repeated his unsuccessful
counter attacks with great determine.
ton and regardless OF losses.
The positions gained by us yester.
day and already reported have been
Further progress has been
the neighborhood of Roeux. A particu-
larly violent counter attack, delivered
by the enemy early this morning
against the village of Gavrelle. was sue
beaten OF.
Many Prisoners Taken.
THE number of prisoners which pass
I'd through collecting stations as a re-
suit OF yesterdays operations already
exceeds 1900. including thirty officers.
Many more are still to come in.
South OF the Bapaume- Cambria road
We gained ground during the night on
. wide front east Of Epehy and reached
he st. Quentin canal, in the neighbor-
rood Of Nendhuille. Further north the
iillage of -Plouich and Beau
amp have been captured by US, to-
sether with a number of prisoners"
German Attacks Costly.
The official report of last night from
British headquarters in France. reads:
There was heavy and continuous
lighting throughout the day on both
,anks of the Scarpe. and important
N my positions were gained by our
roops. A marked feature of the days
operations was the frequent violent
enemy counter-attacks. in which he
suffered heavy losses.
I'VE captured the village of Gavrelle
nd the enemy's defenseS for two and
i half miles to the south of the village.
IS far as Roeux cemetery
.On the right bank of the Scarpe our
rooms fought their way forward on a
vide front south ana east OF MchchF-
e-Preux and captured Guemappe.
.sThe number of prisoners taken has
INF vet been ascertained, but is known
n exceed considerably one thousand.
I've also made progress southwest
# Lens, in the neighborhood of the
;ouchez river
Great Activity in the Air.
"There was great activity in the ale
asterday, in which our aircraft wers
ntireIv successful. In the air fighting
~ German airplanes, brought down.
rashed. Fifteen others were driven
own out of control In one engage
,ent a hostile formation of eight ma
hines was attacked by two of our air.
lanes which brought down two hostile
,achines. and drove down third out
I control =
citing. one German airplane was shot
e,rn nv anti-aircraft guns. In addition.
zen German kite balloons were de-
.royed Yesterday. Seven Of our ma
hines are missing.
Battle Much Fiercer."
CORRESPONDENTS at British headouarters
France concur in statements that
- hattie which has been resumed at
rras is much fiercer than when 1t be-
an. The Germans. they say. were fully