The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-01
But Counter Charge Ends in
Slaughter of Huns.
Berlin Reports Capture of 1900
and Two Towns.
AIM DOUBLE BLOW At BYNG
British Narrowly Dodge Trap
and Blow Up Guns.
Haig Reports Huns Didn't Re-
new Battle During Night.

Germany today claimed great gains
and four thousand prisoners in pow
erful counter-thrusts against the Brit
tsh lines around Cambria. Field Mar
anal Haig's official report stated the
enemy bad not attempted to renew his
attacks in this section last night. in
dicatinR that the fighting described
by the Berlin statement may have oc-
CURED yesterday.
Press dispatches from the British
front detailed failure of a double blow
aimed by the Germans against the
Cambria line and declared the battle
was continuing.
The Berlin official statement claim
ed re-capture Of Gonnelieu and VII
lers tiuislain on the southern flank
of the British line Of advance. To the
north, the Tentonic war office also de-
ciared the British had been thrown
back.
With the British Armies in France,
Dec Terrific fighting has marked
British resistance to a strong attack
launched by Crown Prince Rupprecht
along a nine mile front of General
Byngs line near Cambria.
At one time the Germans forced the
British back two miles. Tanks were
called into action by General Byng.
As this dispatch is cabled the Ger
man advance does not stand at more
than $500 yards They were thrown
back from their furthermost gains
Gouzeaueourt. which was overrun
by the Germans. had been cleared of
the enemy this afternoon.
Streets Paved With Dead.
The streets were paved with Ger
man dead The ruins of houses, blast
ed by British guns in driving out the
enemy. were festooned with corpses.
German machine guns, sabres ana
other war equipment Uttered the
streets to be kicked under foot by the
British when the ground was re-
gained.
The heaviest fighting in a double
blow which was launched by Rup-
pr.ccht aeainst the British lines oc-
Cured Yesterday. But the battle was
st'H on today. its fury little dimln-
isHed
rive German divisions Cprobably
ato,-t ;ifty thousand mem We're
thrown against the British line in the
ncrthCrn attack launched by Prince
Drccht. These divisions centered
4hc'r attack along a five mile front
TPat thor first days efforts failed was
duo ~ the spartan courage of the
Rr.+3sl, To--mies who contested every
inch o. Ground.
british Rctreat-Quick.
british Headquarters in France, Dec
1-CBv the Associated Press in
their operations in the Cambra region
Yesterday the Germans began turn
able to pull back most of their troops
and guns at the first attack and save
them from being caught. The British
bIe-,- up a certain number of guns.
So far as could be ascertained this
morping. no British guns were cap
+,tred nv the Germans. THE German
casualties yesterday we're exceedingly
large. The British probably s4ost a
considerable number of men.
There is no concealing the fact that
Itch,
Portable hour or two yesterday, but the
situation this morning is not one to
cause particular uneasiness.
some scattered British in the front
line may have fallen into the hands
of the Germans, hut most of the troops
are reDorted to have been withdrawn
safely. Some ground has been lost,
. but unless unforeseen events arise, the
German plans have been frustrated,
with the infliction of serious losses on
them.
The British are continuing their
counter attacks.
Battle Continues Today.
With the British Armies in France,
Dec. 1.-(By the United Press IA
double blow aimed by Crown Prince
RuDprecht at General Byng's new
front failed to net any considerable
The battle is continuing as this dis
patch is sent.
Get 1000 Prisoners.
Berlin. via London, Dec. Cap
ture of Gonnelieu and Villers Gus
lain with four thousand prisoners in
all. was reported in today's official
statement as the result of powerful
German attacks on the Cambria sec
tor.
Enemy counter-attacks against the
Gonnelieu and Guslain positions
failed Several enemy batteries were
captured.
London, Dec. 1.-The Germans have
apparently given up hope of wrestling
back any of General Byng's gains
around Cambria. according to Field
Marshal Haigs official statement to-
day He reported no attempt to re-
new attacks on this front during last
night.