South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-30
ALLIES PROVE SUPERIOR IN
WAR ON WESTERN FRONT
Hindenburg Retreat to Victory and Failure
of Germans to lnaugurate An Offensive of
Any Strength Are Features of 1917.

the battle Of the Marine
In a dense fog three miles OF
trenches on the Ancre are surren-
dered 10 the British The British
occupy the towns OF Petit Mirau-
mont PyS. Serre and Butte de War
lencOUrt.
February IS.
Hindenburg' retreat 70 victory
continues. % square miles OF
French territory being surrendered
TO the allies
MarCh I.
Germans fall back from Bapaume
line. Capture of city by British is
threatened.
March IL.
Following a spell of inactivity in
which the British organize their
new lines in the occupied territory.
the Germans again commence an
extensive retiring movement on
front Of 50 miles. varying in depth
from two 10 four miles The allies
encounter no resistance. In &C
cordance with the German military
policy of "frightfulness. all sur
rendered territory is left a barren
waste. The civilian populace Is
moved to behind the German lines.
All houses and bridges are destroy
ed, every article OF value is either
removed or destroyed. Wells are
poisoned and trees of every de-
scription are cut down.
March Is.
German retreat continues The
ruined city of Peronne is occupied
by the British without opposition.
German retirement is on a line of
100 miles 10 a depth OF Il miles.
The French occupy the towns OF
NOyon and Nesle, both smoking
ruins. The Germans evacuate the
entire Noyon salient. falling back
to the strongly entrenched and for
tilted "Hindenburg line" % miles
in the rear of their former posi-
tons.
March 10.
More than 1900 square miles of
territory have been evacuated by
the Germans since the beginning Of
the Hindenburg retreat to victo-
ry." More than $50 towns and VIII
lagos are occupied by the British
and French.
March 20
German retreat with policy Of de-
stTuctiOn continues, although at
many points they have reached the
"Hindenburg line" and are making
a stand. Fourteen more villages are
occupied by the allies.
March Fl.
Germans reported 10 have almost
reached the "Hindenburg line" at
all points. Fifty-one more villages
are occupied by the allies.
April 4.
Advance guard OF French troops
enter the city of ST. Quentin. street
fighting taking place.
April q.
The Germans having com>I~ed
I, retirement 10 the "Hindenburg
line" the allies consolidate their
new positions. The British begin a
great offensive on a u mile front
in the vicinity of Arras, penetrating
! German positions TO a depth of two
( TO three miles. The most important
development of this offensive is the
capture Of Nimy Ridge, one Of the
most strongly fortified positions on
| the western front Thirteen thou
sand prisoners. 100 guns and large
numbers OF machine guns are cap
tured
April Is.
Gen Haig reports that ne is
I "astride the Hindenburg line" Sim
ultaneously with another thrust by
( British troops north or Arras, Cen.
/ Niveue starts q strong offensive on
front of % miles between scissors
| and Rheims, penetrating the first
and second trenches.
April IS.
French capture the heights over
| looking the Aisne by storm The
/ use Of large numbers Of reserve
/ troops by the Germans fails 10 stop
\ the French offensive. The Germans
are driven out Of three villages near
SCISSORS.
: Cen. Nivelle in a great offensive
storms the large town or CraOnne,
/ giving French entire control Of that
! sector.
May ,.
Cen Nl\elle troops drive a lOlF
! mile salient into the German line
near Iaon. taking large numbers of
/ prisoners.
May ..
One OF the most remarkable op-
! erations OF the war is carried out
by the British ia the capture OF
: the German salient az Wytschaete
q overlooking Ypres. supposed 20 be
/ impregnable and held By the Ger
! mans against all attacks for two
years. Operation is receeded by
terrific mine explosions. heard in
/ London
June If.
Gen Plumer smashes the linden
burg line on a mile front in the
! vicinity or Messines.
July 4.
French repulse terrific attacks 0y
. German shock troops" OF the Ger
! man crown prince al Nerdun.
july ..
French troops by "a brilliant at