New-York tribune., 1917-07-12
Attack in Belgium Costs
Allies Mile of Trenches
and 1880 Men
Counter Attack by
Haig Is Expected
Heavy Gunhre Indicates
Marshal Is on Eve of
New Offensive
DAYS DEVELOPMENTS

IN y DIN ILDf >
Russians cross Lomnica and take two
towns in drive for Lembcrg. Occupation
Of Halioz confirmed Pcirosrad an.
nounces capture Of over 10000 prisoner, snc
eighty guns in three days. Russian pressur,
increasing over foriy-two mile, of from
runpins south into Csrpsthian foothills.
Berlin reports fresh battles developing.
Germans on Belgian coast penetrate Brit.
i.h line 900 yards no ,4OO-yard front
forcing Hais, men aero" User and taking
nearly 100 prisoners. Indication, susse,
approaching heavy offensive by Allie, ii
West.
French repulse German attack in Woevrc
district. Violent bombardmens maintained
at several points along line.
Italian, take town of DoIns on Csrsc
front.
Renewed signs of activity IN Balkans
British dcfes, Turkish irregular. in Mcso.
potamia Temperature ll9 degree, in the
@de.
London, July 11.--Germany's first
unprovoked attack on the British line
within year was launched yesterday
evening with great determination
against the extreme left wing from
the sea southwark across the Belgian
dunes for over a mile. On front of
1,400 yards and to depth of 500 yards
Crown Prince Rupprecht's forces were
successful, and, according to Berlin,
twenty-seven officers and 1850 men
were taken prisoner. The British were
forced over the User.
The German heavy fire, which was
heard in London, causing tremors like
those Of slight earthquake shocks in
some of the suburbs, died down to-day.
while that of the British developed.
Indeed, Berlin says tonight that the
artillery fire in the West has greatly
increased" and it looks as if the Ger
mans got in their telling blow Just on
the eve of a great offensive in Flsn-
ders. Al several points along the
trench line, particularly near Lens and
on the front east of Monchy, German
troops were on the aggressive to-day,
seeking TO recover the initiative. but
their success was confined to the Nieu-
port region.
User Bridges Destroyed
Their attack came at 7:45 O'Clock
last night. After comparatively short
but violent artillery preparation, their
marines attacked a series of defence
erected by the French, and recently
taken over by the British, working
forward until they had gained nearly
half a mile. The bridges over the
User were destroyed by the enemy
guns, so that it was impossible to rein
force the British units, which undoubt-
cdly suffered heavily. as Berlin asserts
Haig's forces were caught in a some
what similar position to those Of the
French on the Aisne in 1915, when a
destruction OF bridges simultaneous
with a sudden flood behind them led
to a serious reverse.
Never in the last three years have
the residents Of Southeast England
heard such heavy firing as that Of last
night and this morning. Evidently the
Germans anticipated an attack along
the coast and decided that an offensive
was their best defence. 1t is not clear,
however, that they have gained any
thing but local, though brilliant. sue
cess. The front is too narrow for a
sustained offensive, though the stroke
may have disarranged the plans of
Field Marshal Haig A British counter,
thrust in the Lombacrtzyde sector pre-
vented development OF the German
gain.
Counter Attack Expected
For many weeks there has been great
activity on both sides Of the line in
this region. This is apparent from the
official communiques telling of long
range artillery firing. frequent airplane
bombing expeditions and numerous
trench raids. Even before the British
took over the sector held by the French
there were indications that this part OF
the front was bound TO be lively
W DclNtT the beIUhUS i0leDO 10 cAlcnO
their attack along the coast toward
Dunkirk, crossing the User, or whether
the assault is to widen inland the next
few days will tell. That the British
will react quickly is certain If Haig
undertakes his usual tactics. Should
Hindenburg intend a general with.
drawal, his initial success might prove
useful as a covering action, but it is
more probable that he launched his at
tack with the hope Of upsetting tn,
British plans.
The German attack near Monchy TO.
day was over an 800yard front, anC
the British line was pressed bach
slightly. Apparently il was a diversion
aimed to prevent the concentration Of
British reserves elsewhere. -
Except for artillery fighting which
was violent at places along the Chemin
dcs-Dames, in the Champagne anC
around Hill 303. near Verdun, tn,
French front was quiet, except meal
Flirey. in the Woevre district. where
the Germans were repulsed after {
combat lasting some time.
English Call User