Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-06-27
BRITISH TROOPS
:. CLOSE IN ON LENS
Canadians Capture Village of La
CouIotte-AlIies Tighten
Net.
GERMAN RETIREMENT ENDS
Allies Patrols Find Enemys Lines
Strongly HeId-French Capture
Teuton Trenches and More
Than 800 Prisoners.

Canadian Army Headquarters in
France, June 27.-Canadian troops en-
tered the village of La Coulotte which
is only one mile south of Lens. The
Germans have withdrawn in this neigh
borrrOd from line about one and
three-quarters miles long. .r .
The German retirement ceased dur
ing the night Patrols sent out OPP
pOsite MericOurt and to the south
found the enemy's front line strongly
held. The Germans have made huge
craterS at all crossroads in AviOn and
leading toward Lens. These craters
did not exist 4S hours ago.
Canadians Win Important Ground.
In their general advance On Lens
the Canadians have occupied the
strongest outpost in the defense OF
that place. The increasing pressure
on the enemy in the SOuchez valley in
the last few weeks has brought signal
success to the British arms with rela-
lively slight loss.
Patrols reached the summit of reser-
vOir hill without opposition and pushed
on down the eastern slope and the
strong Lens outpost was effectively
occupied. Meanwhile south OF the
SOuchez river the Canadians drove for
ward on the heels Of the retiring Ger
mans. Railway entertainments east Of
Lens electric station were occupied.
The advance was then continued to-
ward La COulOtte. AS night fell strong
parties were sent out to consolidate
the positions occupied, while patrols
were sent forward to keep in touch
with the Germans.
Germans Destroying Homes.
Several days ago the Germans were
known to be destroying houses in the
western part of Lens with the object
of giving wide area of fire for their
guns. That may Indicate the inten-
ton of clinging to the eastern side OF
the city and prolonging the struggle by
hOuSe-tO-hOuSe fighting.
Allies Tighten Net on City.
British Headquarters in France,
June 27-The British are closing in
about Lens, After the capture on Sun
day of Posse and enemy trenches,
west from the hill, and from the lines.
Immediately south of the Souchez
river, several new positions have been
occupied in this region nearer Lens.
Patrols are advancing across the
plains in an easterly direction. Thus
the great mining center is being slow
ly encircled. For weeks Lens has not
been exploited economically by the
Germans and now it is directly
menaced by the military.
French Capture German Trenches.
Paris, June 27.-The French made
surprise attack northwest of Hurte'
bise ut night, after brief artillery prep
aration. The war office announces the
capture of the entire first line German
trenches, which were held against des.
perate counter-attacks. More than 300
prisoners were taken.
Berlin Says French Were Repulsed.
Berlin, June 27.-French troops,
which penetrated the German lines
northwest of Hurtebise on the Alsne
front, were subjected to a counter-at-
tack and were elected from the great
err part of the positions they had occu-
pied, army headquarters announced.
Great quantities of ammunition are be-
ing expended in artillery fire along the
front held by Crown Prince Rupprecht
(the British front in Belgium and
northern France) the statement de-
clareS.