Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-14
SLIGHT ADVANCE
MADE BY BRITISH
impossible M0raSSes Prevent
Operations on Large Scale
in Flanders.
GERMAN ATTACKS FAIL

By the Associated Press.
BRITISH FRONT IN FRANCE AND
BELGIUM. October 1a.-British troops
southeast of Passchendaele village dur
ing the night pushed forward slightly
in advance OF the line that they reached
in yesterdays offensive, but over the
major portion Of the six-mile battle
front there has been little change in
the situation. Morasses that in places
were impossible and at all points al
most impossible to push through. were
holding operations in an iron grip.
Over a large part Nof the front the
British this morning were holding a
line that represented appreciable gains
in territory. At a few points. check,
because of the weather. had to be ac-
krowledged and the attacking troops
fell back to positions which they had
left
German Attacks Smashed.
Two counter-attacks were attempted
by the Germans yesterday. and both
were dealt with quickly by the artil-
lery. One was in the neighborhood Of
the Broodsei de-Passchendaela high
way, and the other started from posi-
tions east and southeast Of the village
of Passchendaele. Neither counter-at-
tacking force appears even to have
reached its objective before 1t was
smashed.
The night was fairly quiet as far as
actions was concerned. On the
northern section in the advance between
Poelca pelle and Houtholst forest fewer
difficulties were encountered in yester-
days fighting than on the southern por-
tion. Along the southern edge of the for
est the British pushed their lines 200
yards northward along a 1.300yard front.
thereby considerably improving their
previous positions.
British Maximum Gain.
Between the Ypres-Staden railway
and Poelcapelle the gain varies in depth
up to a maximum of about 700 yards.
Near the village of Poelcapelle the line
appears to be virtually what it was
yesterday morning. Between Poelca-
pelle and Wallemolen. on the south, the
British swung their line out in numer- |
Gus places
Hand-to-Hand Fighting.
Machine guns and rifles played a more |
-
ing any of the other conflicts in this |
region within recent months. All along
the front the Germans yesterday an
parently were holding their forward |
line rather more strongly than usual |
with them. Nearly every vantage point |
had been turned into rapid fire en-
placements and all the farm houses
were strongly fortified. Numbers of /
these strongholds were reduced, but il |
had to be done in hand-to-hand fight
places whenever they encountered them.
Hard Local Battles.
Hard local battles were continuing
today at several places notably at
Wolf Copse, west of Passchendaele. and
n the eastern outskirts of Poelcapelle.
Wolf Copse was a nest of machine
guns and the Germans have maintain
I'd a heavy fire against the British
md today were fighting almost at the
edge of the copse.
The battle at Poelcapelle yesterday
Vas exceptionally bitter around the
much contested brewery stronghold.
rhe Germans occupied the brewery
building at dawn, but the British storm
ID the place and by IL o'clock had
leld this place six hours, but at s
o'clock the Germans delivered heavy
attacks and after hard fight
ng the British withdrew little. At
d'csi lCpoIt % Tie DTe"eTy seemed to
'e in No Mans Land, which is held
~ neither side and over which machine
gun bullets were wailing in never
nding streams.
Official Statement. s
LONDON. October 13.-The official I
tatement issued tonight by the war Ii
ffice follows:
Beyond the usual artillery activity
+ both sides. on the battle front, moth
ng of special interest occurred during I
Continued on Second Pared u