New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-10
Spring Drive Opens at Arras 4;
Germans Hurled Back
Three Miles
Advance Unchecked;
Vimy Ridge Taken
+ Foe Dazed by Greatest Bonn
bardment Of War; Tanks
Lead Advance
BY ARTHUR ;. DRAPER


LONDON, April 9.-I ne great spring
offensive of the British in northern
France is under way. Driving forward
along twelve-mile front between
Arras and Lens at $3.50 O'Clock this
morning, in the face OF biting slcet
storm, Haigs troops struck the first
blow in what is likely TO develop into
tho greatest battle in history.
Tonight the British are still advanc-
ing over the entire front. storming and
conquering some of the most powerful
positions reared by the Germans on the
western battle line. The battle of
Arras has developed within twelve
hours the heaviest fighting since the
war began.
The British already have penetrated
from two or three miles into the
cnemy's territory, have everywhere
crumpled up the German defonces and
up to , o'clock this afternoon had
swept in more than $500 prisoners.
Even the conservative reports of Cen
eral Haig indicate that these figures
are being increased hour BY hour.
Capture vimy Ridge
The fate of the German line was sealed
esrIv in the days battle when the ia
nous Vimy Ridge. where 100000 French
soldiers died months ago and which mad
defied all efforts OF the British to capt
ure It later, fell to the Canadians.
Then the whole right flank of the Ger
man line in this region gave way. Tele-
graph Hill, Observation Ridge. Neuville
Vitasse. the Iiarp. La Folie Farm, St.
Laurent Blangy all names that have
lived in the war news for two years "a
significant Of the power of Germanys
defensive system -succumbed in quick
succession as the British troops ad-
vanced behind the fire OF tanks, once
more brought into battle.
Mile after mile the offensive spread,
until the German armies were in re-
treat along a twelve-mile stretch AMI,
almost disorganized. were desertlng
their guns and surrendering.
From Arras to Lens the British guns
had prepared a path for the advance OF
the infantry by bombardment tina,
overshadowed the artllery's destruc-
tive work at the opening OF the battle
of the Somme last year.
The German dcfences were split
apart and the German defenders were
stunned. When the first wave Of Brit
ish infantry swept over the parapets ut
dawn and rushed across the shell torn
No Mans Land into the trenches where
the enemy had stood firm but few
hours before, they found complete
desolatiCn.
Too Dazed to Fight.
Those of the enemy who had mar
aged to find safety in half destroyed
dugouts emerged, when the barraPe
lifted, too dazed, too paralyzed with
fright, to offer even the slightest re-
sistance.
Bayarians, WurttemberGers and
Hamburgers, some of the best troops
in the German army, surrendered IN
batches. thankful for being alive, anu
we're passed back rapidly to the rear.
Inst after sunrise the weather cleared
for a brief space, not long enough for
Tho air forces Of the British TO take up
their burden again, but long enough
for the Canadians TO storm the Nimy
ridge and remove the last obstacle 70
the eastward sweep Of Haig's forces.
The tanks" forced Telegraph Hill. .
As the Canadians took possession OF
the enemy's defences there, other Brit
ish battalions stormed the famous re-
doubt The Harp"
Advance Gains Speed
With the first German line crossed
al nearly every point, the progress o.
the British was astonI5hingly swift ana
sustained. The German gunnGs be
came frantic as their fire failed 10 Nc
the advancing columns and the smells
fell harmlessly behind them. $40" IN
starting their defensive barrage, the
Germans were unable 10 get the range
before the first ranks of the British
feu on them. For this reason the cas-
ualt;es OF the British so far are re-
ported TO BE- slight.
Before noon the British we're IN pos
session of the fortified localities Of
Feuchv. Chapelle de Feuchy, hyderbad
Podoubt. Athies and Thelus. Moving
rapidly along the railroad running
rom their frcnt 20 the Scarpe valley;
they captured Maison Blanche WOOD
and pressed on.
Striking iu the direction O. Cam:
brai on the eastern end OF the line OF
attack. Haig's troops stCrmed the VII
Isces OF Hermies. Demicourt and Bour-
sies. and bit deep into the enemy
positions in the HsvrincOurt Wood.
In the region Of ST. Quentin the BTlt-
jsh also forged ahead during the day.
Occupying tresncy PontIu and lie
Ncrgulcr.
May Retire 10 Border
/. is certain that az the present mo-
men. the whole line OF battle. from
Lille TO Verdun is undergoing changes
that may eventually decide the war l
hear unofficially that the Germans are
burning and destroying villages lar
behind their line from Scissors 20 the
Meuse. and that the terrific lombard
ment Of Rheims and the savage IN
fantry attacks along this 'front.' are
merely feints 20 cover their iuT'heT
withdrawal TO the border itself.
| Frank II. SimoHds's comments
| - Al. po,.Ts Of yrOs man or