Evening star., 1917-10-21
French THREATEN
FOE AT .SO|S'SONS
Berlin DweIIs on. Tremendous
Artillery Actions on This
Section of Front.
BRITISH DRIVE DELAYED

Though the expected offensive OF
Field Marshal Haig in Flanders mas
not yet materialised. signs are increas-
ing that his blow against German lines
VIII not be long deferred British
and German guns are extremely ac-
tive along the section OF the front
where Haig Is most liable to strike
near Ypres. French artillery has been
engaging the Germans over a wide
front.
Berlin Significantly announces that
tremendous bombardment prevails IN
the region of Soissons The allies may
strike here as well as in Flanders.
which would bring added threat to the
general scheme OF German defense In
northern France.
German Raiders Repulsed.
Hy the Associated Press.
LONDON. October 2o.-The report
from Field Marshal Haig tonight on
the operations in Flanders reads:
"A hostile raiding party attacked cur
posts west of Lens early this morning,
but was repulsed with loss
Our own and the enemy's artillery
have been active northeast of ipreS. A
OF destructive
have been carried out by US In spite Of
the Indifferent visibility.
"Aviation-Friday a dense mist al
most entirely prevented aerial work. A
little artillery work was carried out by
our afrplanes and fifty bombs were
dropped by us on various targets. There
was very little improvement in the
weather during the night. but d few
bombs were dropped on a hostile rail-
way station. No fighting took place
during the day"
French Official Report.
PARIS. October 2o.-The official COM
night reads:
''on the Asne front both artilleries were
very active. We repulsed two enemy sur
prise attacks against our small posts one
southeast of Corbany. the other in the
Argonne in the region Of Poureuilles.
On the right bank of the Meuse our
artillery put an end to the violent bonn
bardment OF our positions north Of the
action
Aviation: Last night about midnight
Dunkirk was bombarded from the sea.
According to the report there were no
civilian casualties.
Guns Blaze Near scissors.
BERLIN. via London. October 2o.--The
supplementary statement from headquar-
ters this evening says:
In Flanders the firing was intense
Northeast Of Scissors the most intense
artillery engagement was IN progress since
midday.
The regular official statement says:
Western theater: Front Of Crown
Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria-The con-
ditions OF observation being unfavor-
able. the firing duel In Flanders was
Of less intensity than on preceding
days Only in some sectors between Hou-
thoulst wood and Deule was the firing
intense at times There were recon
noitering engagements at several
places. also in the Artois and north of
St Quentin, with favorable results to
ourselves. r - ~. -
Front of the German crown pfsfsce-
The artillery battle northeast Of Sois-
sons continues with violence, which
only diminished temporarily during the
night. Artillery massed there concen-
trated its fire with the most extreme
power. The continuous cannon and mine
throwing operations have transformed
the foremost fighting zone between
Vau1aillon and Braye into crater
field. Some thrusts by French recon
noitering troops were repulsed Larger
attacks have not ensued up to the pres
ent- East of the Meuse firing activity
increased yesterday afternoon Several
OF our enterprises yielded us prisoners"