The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-06-27
CANADIANS GET
TOWN WITHIN
MILE0F LENS
Germans Fall Back Along
Line as Allies Drive
on City.
TEUTONS ADMIT LOSS
Roads Are Turned Into Craters
in Effort to Check
Advance.
TEUTONS ADMIT LOSS

LONDON, June 26.-Canadian troops
occupied the village of La Coulotte. one
mile Immediately south of Lens, this
morning. drawing tighter and closer the
line which is slowly encircling the great
mining city. Near La Coulotte the Ger
mans were forced to withdraw from a
line about mile and three-Quarters
long.
South OF the Souchez River the British
first took railway embankments Just
east OF the Lens electric station, whence
they continued the advance toward the
village last night Patrols sent out op-
posite Mericourt this morning discov-
cred that the Teutons have made nuge
craters at all cross roads leading to
Lens These craters were not in evi-
dence forty-eight hours ago.
Meanwhile Gen. Petain. resuming his
dashing operations on the Aisne front.
scored brilliant success with his
French troops in surprise attack
northwest of Hurtebise to-day. He car
ried the entire first line Of the strong
German position and held 1t against
counter attacks. the Germans suffering
heavy losses and leaving more than 900
men as prisoners. Through this sector.
between Craonne and Cerny, lies the
most feasible route TO the German for
- Ne~' OA A~oOiit thc WAL support Oi Tue
whole German line on the French front
German Prisoners Taken.
The official reports follow:
British (Night)-In the operations
carried out by US last night north
east OF Fontaine-les-Croiselles all our
ob)ectives were gained with little loss
Twenty-seven prisoners were taken
Two hostile counter attacks delivered
with considerable strength were
driven on
During the day our progress south
OF Lens continued. Our troops ex-
tended their gains Enemy positions
astride the Souchez River, on a front
OF two miles to depth Of 1000 yards
passed into our possession. We have
occupied the village OF La Coulotte.
In the air fighting yesterday two
German airplanes were brought down.
Three other hostile machines were
driven down out of control One Of
our machines is missing.
British Day)-There was a sue
cessful' local operation last night
northwest of Fontaine-l les Crolsilies,
resulting in the capture OF a number
OF German prisoners. A hostile raid
Ing party was repulsed In the night
west of La Bassee.
French Night Statement.
French (Night)-The day was calm
save in the region of Moulin de Laf-
faux. where the artillery fighting was
quite active. and in the region Of
Rheims, which was violently bonn
barded.
After a short bombardment last
evening our troops made a brilliant
attack northwest of Hurtebise against
strongly organized position of the
enemy. All our objectives were at
tained. In a few moments we car
ried the German first line. Counter
attacks delivered by the enemy at
both ends Of this position. supported
by violent artillery bombardment. were
broken up by our FIRE. The enemy.
surprised by the rapidity OF our at
tack. suffered heavy losses and left In
our hands more than 800 prisoners, in
cluding ten officers.
Several enemy surprise attacks on
small posts In the region of Tahure
and In the Argonne were broken up
by our fire.
Belgian!The enemy shelled our
roads OF communication, while the
artillery actions were especially
spirited in the neighborhood Of
Ramscapelle, Dixmude. Reninghe and
Pypegaale There was lively bomb
fighting near the Ferryman's House.