The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-26
British Sea Forces Attack Sec
Ond Time in a Week.
Fleet Encounters Six Hostile
AirpIanes and Downs Two.
THIRD GREAT DRIVE IS ON
English Report Success in Ad-
vance Near Ypres.
Advance 1000 to 1900 Yards,
Haig Tells London.

London. Sept. 26.-The German ma
val base of Ostend on the Belgian
coast was bombarded yesterday by
British naval forces. British aerial
patrols over the fleet encountered six
hostile airplanes and downed two.
New Drive in Ypres.
British Headquarters in France and
Belgium. Sept 26.-(By the Associ-
ated Press. along the northern half
OF the battle line. to the east of Ypres,
where Field Marshal Haig assumed
the offensive this morning, the British
have advanced at numerous places for
a distance Of from 1000 to 1900
yards An early report which was
somewhat vague, indicated that the
British infantry was fighting along
line only a few hundred yards west of
Zonnebeke.
The Germans are resisting desper-
ately, and along front OF some thou
sand yards astride the Ypres- Menin
road terrific struggle is proceeding
The line of the present battle is
between points to the east of St
Julien and southwest of Gheluvelt
The Germans already have been
pushed out of many important posi-
tions. The British appear to have
been extremely successful turnout the
northern half line of attack. No news
is available from the sector of Polygon
forest.
Terrific Battle Is On.
The most important points involved
in today's fighting are strongly held
elevations between the Ypres- Roulers
railway and the Ypres-Menin highway
AUSTRALIAN, Scotch and English troops
were today pushing out into forbidden
country over ground still sodden from
rains among concrete and steel
redoubts. over elevations thru bits of
woods choked with quick fIrers. They
might fail of their object and vet cover
themselves with glory.
II seems that much sanguinarv
lighting is to follow. The Germans
knew the attack was coming. and
their recent counter attacks were
attempts to Illustrate the British plans
Ihey nave been bringing I'D rein
torcements for several DAYS for the
battle which began this morning. The
main efforts of the Germans TODAY
were directed against the right of the
offensive.
(By the Associated Press.)
Within less than a weeks wait after
delivering the recent smashing blow +
the German lines in Flanders the
British have resumed their drive
launching an attack 'on a wide front
northeast and east of Ypres early this
morning. The trend of the battle was
only briefly indicated in the early
--0rting that his troops were maxine
good progress. Apparently the effort
IS aimed at driving in deeper tbe
wedge already forced into the Ger
man front astride the Ypres-Menin
road and northward bevond a.
Ypres-Rouloer's railroad line,
Last Thursdays thrust pushed tbis
Wedge approximately a mile further
into the enemy's territory. where tha
srouhd gained was well consolidated
and held firmly against numerous des-
perate counter attacks. The point OF
the wedge now has almost reached a
line extending directly northward
from the French manufacturing CITY
OF Lille. the development of which is
assumed to be one of the great obiec.
tives OF the Flanders attacks, in CON
nection with the drive below Lille
carried out in the battle of Arras ear
her IN this year. The enlargement al
the Ypres salient is likewise HAVING
the effect of endangering the German
line to the north extending to the Rel.
gtan coast. Seemingly it is now the
purpose of the British to concentrate
their offensive moves here and by re.
peating the tactics pursued last veal
on the Somme, compel German re.
tirement on wide front both to the
north and south.
German Offensive Fell Down.
The new British blow was STRUCK
today Just as the Germans were stag.
gering from the effects of a sangllin
airy repulse they sustained yesterda,
in heavy attacks which they delivered
on the ridge east of Ypres. The Ger.
mans had made their way into tn,
British lines at two points on marrow
fronts in one of these attacks. bu
were forced out in the later British
counter effort.
On the French front there has beer
only artillery activity and raidins
operations. The artillery fire was in
tense last night in the Verdun regio,
between Beaumont and Rezonvaux
northeast of the fortress.