The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-16
CLING TO LENS
British Trying to Squeeze Out
Rather Than BOmbard.
Air Battle Over Arras Continues
in Gang Fighting.

British Headquarters in France.
April 16, via London.-The British
continued today gradually to widen
the second gap out in the HindenburS
line north of st. Quentin, having cap
tured the position known as the Three
Savages east of Gricourt st. Quentin
continues to burn. Away to the north
Lens still holds out. The Germans
Rave several strong positions about the
city to which they still cling.
The British apparently would like
tor take Lens without inflictine too
great damage from an extensive COM
bardment. They have always been III
a position to reduce the city to ruins,
- but the shells have been directed
against selected spots known to be
used for military purposes by the Ger
mans. Nevertheless the Germans con-
tinue their work of destroying by
blowing up buildings.
Further details of the fighting yes
terday show the desperate character OF
several German attacks on the new
British positions. The attack which
was essayed from both sides of Queant
and temporarily pierced the British
line at Lagnicourt was exceptionally
bitter Ii began at 4:3O O'Clock sun
day morning and continued for three
hours without interruption. British
advanced posts were driven in but the
support units Joined the issue with the
Germans.
Many Hand to Hand Encounters.
Many hand to hand encounters fol-
lowed. There was also more actual
rifle shooting than for many months.
During this fire the Germans fell in
cIumps. They attempted to seek cover
behind bushes and in small thickets:
The British fired into these with good
results. When the reserves came up
at last the Germans broke into tull
flight. Hundreds of them were
caught. in their own wire entangle-
luents as they attempted to regain
their trenches and they died by scores
Prisoners We're taken along the six
mile front of the German attack more
than 900 being brought in.
There was fighting all day about
AIonchy-Le-Preux, east of Arras,
which already had witnessed some
fierce encounters since the battle of
Arras. began. Monchy in its way is
a little Vtmy ridge ali by itself, stand :
ing sentinel as the last nigh ground
over miles upon miles of plains sweep
ing eastward. The Germans held out
there for two days after the Arras
battle opened and have launched half
a score of counter attacks against IL
without success. The place lends 1T
self to cOunter-attacks, because OF
OUTLYING woods where troops ordin-
arilv could assemble unobserved-
e. Air Combats Numerous.
There were morning and afternoon
alta cl<s yesterday. In both instances
the intentions of the Germans were
discovered and artillery played on the
woods, scattering a large percentage
of the formations. There has been
notable air fighting over Monchy and
many machines have been brought
down there in the last two days. Large
German formations have attacked the
British scouts and the patter of ma
chine guns overhead has been almost
continuous during the daylight hours.
The Germans as a rule are careful
air fighters and virtually never attack
unless they outnumber the British
three or four to one. a German ma
chine is seldom sighted They have
come to be known as gang air-fight-