Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-04
FRENCH BREAKUP
GERMAN ATTACKS
Teutons Try VainIy to Regain
Ground Lost in the Re-
cent Fighting.
SHACK TROOPS EMPLOYED

By the Associated Pres.
PARIS. September 4-Attacts wers
made by Germans last night on the
French lines in the Hurtebise region on
the Aisne front and east of tho Mouse
in the verdun sector. The war office
announced today that both were
checked by the French fire.
Raids by French troops at Sapigneul.
between Souain and Somme-Py in the
Champagne and in the Argonne region
resulted in the capture OF prisoners and
material.
Shock Troops Hurled Back
The statement follows:
Not Tar from the Hurtebise farm the
by detachments OF enemy shock troops.
who suffered serious losses without OBJ
tanning their detectives.
In the Champagne district at the
end OF the day we executed an en-
tended surprise attack along the road
way between Souain and Somme-Py.
French detachments charged with the
bringing back of prisoners and the de-
struction of certain gas installations
penetrated enemy trenches along q
front of 500 meters and to the entire
depth of the enemy's first positions
After having destroyed numerous gas
tanks and blowing up various shelters.
our men returned to their lines. bring
ing some forty prisoners. four machine
guns. one trench cannon and other i'm
portant material.
ITO the east Of sapigneul French
reconnoitering parties penetrated yes
envy line. Spirited fghting followed.
in the course of which the German gar
rison was killed or made prisoner.
In the Argonne another surprise at
IN ha nf III g
gave us prisoners.
'On the right bank OF the River
Meuse we checked squarely three Ger
man attacks upon minor French posts
wood.
The night passed quietly on the re-
mainder of the front.
Good Weather ouickens Fighting.
BRITISH FRONT IN FRANCE AND
pearance of fine weather along the
British front has quickened the fight
ing line. The Germans last night es-
saved local attack on a British posi-
were repulsed. The assault was pre-
coded by a heavy bombardment. in
which gas shells were used. but tho
Germans were unable to withstand the
combined fire of artillery and machine
guns.
The British carried out a highly Sue
cessful raid on German trenches south
! east Of Monchy. The attack was q COM
plete surprise and the British returned
| with considerable number of pris-
| oners. after doing much material
damage.
There was intense aerial activity last
night with many bombing raids along
the line. There was little wind and the
| bright moon lighted the country like
| day. making it ideal for the operations
| of the airmen. Heavy artillery duels
also took place at various points. A
bright sun and a favorable breeze is
rapidly drying out the muddy roads
and water-logged battle ground.
Unable to Dislodge French.
ON THE FRENCH FRONT IN
FRANCE. Sunday. September All
day today the Germans tried vainiy to
dislodge the French from the positions
at Hurtebise. captured Friday night,
but their incessant efforts resulted only
ualty lists. The French, who displayed
such dash in their successful attack
on this strong point, proved themselves
| equally the masters in it's defense.
They submitted to the most vigorous
| bombardment while consolidating their
gains and remain mistaken in morale
by the thousands of shells which are
continuing tonight to fall on the con-
Quered terrain.
During the operation 200 Germans
were captured. including seven officers.
Eight machine guns also were taken.
| 1ery preparation reduced the electives
of the German companies holding the
front lines to forty men each.
The French now occupy the northern
edge of the Hurtebise plateau and hold
all the observation points.