The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-04-10
vimy Ridge Is StOrmed in
Great Battle North
Of Arras.
f. MILE GAP is CUT
Advance Is Heavy Blow at
Defences of Whole Hin
denburg Line.
TERRIFIC BATTLE RAGING
Berlin Admits Haig's Men
Fought Their Way Into
TeutOn Positions.
TERRIFIC BATTLE RAGING

LONDON. April a new British Of
fepsive oil great scale in northern
France, begun early this morning, has
met with brilliant success, dealing the
Germans a staggering blow which
threatens the whole Hindenburg line
A terrific battle is raging.
Attacking on a front of twelve miles
from south Of Lens to southeast OF
.lrras, the British have broken into the
German lines to depth Of two to
three miles at the salient where the
Hindenburg line joins the old German
front. Nearly six thousand prisoners
have been counted and more are
swarming in. Cannon. trench mortars
and machine guns yet uncounted have
been captured.
Attack Also south of Arras.
At tho same time British troops
further south made separate but cor
related attacks at two points, also with
notable success. AS the main attack
was aimed ultimately at Douai, these
two drives were toward Cambria! and
St. Quentin. In each three villages
we're captured and valuable positions
occupied.
The main attack is totally different
from the recent fighting south OF Arras
In which the Germans were yielding up
more or less voluntarily their positions.
II is an operation like the Somme offen-
sive last summer. by which the British
are taking by sheer force posfttUNs~ the
Germans have held for more than two
Years.
The front OF attack begins Just south
Of Givenchy. and the first position taken
was the famous Vimy ridge. which was
stormed by the Canadian troops. This
position had defied capture since soon
after the battle of the Marne. In the
same region the British took villages.
fortified farms and trench systems which
were considered almost impregnable.
Further 10 the south. east OF Arras.
which is the apex of the salient formed
b. the old German line and the new. the
British made their greatest progress.
They captured the villages Of Neuville-
Vitasse, Tilloy les Moffiaines. st.
Laurent-Blangy. Feuchy. the Feuchy
chapel to the south and Athies, pushing
straight east along the valley Of tho
Scarpc toward Douai.
German Defences StOrmed.
The entire attack was completely sue
cessfu. as planned. Field Marshal Sir
Douglas Haig reports tonight, our
troops have everywhere stormed the
enemy defences." The British went for
ward Systematically. capturing within a
few hours the positions Of the foremost
German line. then proceeding TO the cap
pr l,a
whole German first line was taken with
out hitch
Tive new offensive was aided by the
famous armored tanks which first ap-
peared on the Somme in September last.
These land ships were of great assist
ance to the infantry in taking strongly
defended positions. At the same time
the aviators. who have been engaged in
recent days in the greatest air fighting
of history, were active again and brought
down seventeen airplanes and two kite
balloons. Ten British machines were
lost
The next few days will show whether
or not the whole German line can be
thrown into confusion by its piercing at
wnat probably Is it's most vulnerable
spot. From the first days progress it
appears that this is probable. Some of
the positions Immediately southeast of
Arras which were taken to-day are con-
sidered part Of the Hindenburg line.
shows British strength.
The exploits of the day show also,
more plainly than words, what mighty
machine the British army in France has
become The first days success is far
greater than that gained by the British
IN the first day of the Somme offensive
last July. Then, for instance. they took
less than half as many prisoners as to-
Gay. and were unable to make headway
on something like half OF the front at
lacked. To-day they succeeded every
where.
ON the French part Of the western
mont there was little activity. but IT Is
generally believed that concerted action
with the British drive may be expected
a. any time, especially II the Germans
withdraw troops from before the French
10 oppose the British The French re-
port an energetic Commandment or Ger
man positions on the whole Of their sec
,or o. the fIindenburg line, which lies
oe'"ee" tue Somme and the Aisne, This
nsJ be IN preparation for general
french advance.
III" German official statement admits
mat "tic enemy forced his way into
.af's OF our positions" and that heavy
nehting took place throughout the day
or both sides of Arras An earlier
statement said that artillery firing in
creased yesterday to great violence be-
wee7 LNns and Ncuville st. Vaast.
Nhirh Is Just north Of the scene Of to-
Gays battle
The Oaicial Reports.
The official statements follow:
hrt!sn night statement--The OYER
ATOMS continue to be carried out sue
SesS'''iy IN accordance with the plan,
"l' troops have everywhere stormed
,'c enemy deferces from Henin-eur-
C"l' to the southern outskirts Of
'thy-cn-ciohelle to depth of