Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-27
Offensive in Flanders
Goes on Satisfactorily;
Achievements on Aisne


PARIS. October 27-Continuing their
offensive in Belgium. French troops
have captured German trenches north
of the detectives reached yesterday.
the war Office announces. The text fol-
lows:
In Belgium our troops, continuing
the action between Dreigrachten and
Draeibank. captured new German
trenches north of the detectives reached
der satisfactory conditions. notwith-
standing the difficulties of the ground.
Prisoners have been taken.
'-On the Aisne front the night was
calm, being marked only by intermit-
tent artillery actions. especially in the
region west of Allies.
-On the right bank of the Meuse
enemy attacks against one of our
trenches north of Chaume wood and in
the forest of Apremont were broken up
by our fire. There is nothing to report
from the remainder of the front
"OR Thursday evening German avia-
tors threw down twenty bombs Of large
caliber on Dunkirk There were thirty
victims among the civilian population"
The French troops continued their
euccessful drive on the Flanders front
last night, according to the war Office
statement. The number of guns cap
tured since the 23d instant totals $50.
and 200 more prisoners were taken this
morning. In the Champagne enemy
surprise attacks broke down and the
French succeeded in entering the Ger
man lines at one point and brought
back prisoners.
Wonderful Feat Of French.
By the Associated Press
WITH THE FRENCH ARMIES IN
FRANCE. October 27.-However great
may be the praise bestowed on theFrench
troops for the brilliance of their vic
he oP he
AiSne this week it Is too small an ap-
breciation of their herculean efforts In
the face of one of the most dificult
tasks of the war. This is the opinion
not only of their immediate chiefs but
of all who have seen them at work
Fronting them were the finest divisions
OF the German crown princes army,
occupying positions that were strongly
fortified and having the keenest appre-
citation of their value.
Notwithstanding this. the French not
only succeeded in attaining every OBJ
3ectiye, but exceeded the hopes of the
the appointed places. More than $4,000
prisoners already have been counted
and sent to the rear. Others are COM
ing in. and large groups still are hid
ing in subterranean shelters, and their
fate can only be capture.
Present French Line.
southern side of the Aisne-Oise canal
without break from westward of the
Auxaillon to Pargny-Filain, while the
town of Filain has been completely
dominated. The correspondent today
watched the French infantrymen. who
after four days of almost uninterrupted
fighting. were busily employed digging
themselves in along the new front
Their extraordinary exertions had not
extinguished their good humor ana
Willingness. Notwithstanding priya-
tions and suffering from weather CON
ditions. with icy cold transforms
drenching them at intervals. thsy
worked with pick and shovel as ener
geacally as they had done with rife
and grenade during the furious battle,
The French guns now are able to
enfilade the German positions in three
directions: namely, toward Brancour
northwest Of Anizy-le-Chateau. and
along the valley to Laon and through
the Ailette valley. menacing the Ger
ridge The canal on the borders OF
which the French advance rested II
dry. but forms a natural line Of de
Tense. The bridges and locks had beer
destroyed during previous artillery
The Germans Thursday night made q
strenuous effort to establish artiller,
in the ravines behind the plateau, bu
were greatly disconnected by the French
bombardment. which left them no re-
spite and quickly silenced their IRE
The crown prince also hurried up In.
fantry achievements to help his dis.
fressed Prussian Guard aud other dlvi.
0aens Whtsh had bssa badly maalsA