New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-19
Bic French Guns
Storm Steel and
Concrete Redoubts
Fortifcations Impregnable
to Infantry Attacks
Capitulate
rRr The Associated PressI

BRITISH FRONT IN FRANCE AND
BELGIUM, Aug. 1S.-The French have
completed their conquest of the enemy
territory south of the st. Jansbeek
River and the Breenbeek River, which
branches off from st. Jansbeek to the
east. Two strong German redoubts'
Les Lilas and Mondovi Farm, which
had held out against all attacks since
the beginning of the Allied offensive
on Thursday, have capitulated and the
French have pushed their front for
ward TO a natural line formed by these
waterways.
Les Lilas redoubt lies about third
of a mile west of the juncture OF the
St. Jansbeek and the Breenbeek. 1t
WAS a large fertilization of concrete
and steel, armed heavily with machine
guns. Although the garrison was small
their position was wellnight lmpreg-
nable SO far as infantry attacks were
concerned. and it was only when heavy
artillery was brought up and concen-
trated on them late yesterday that the
Germans surrendered.
Big Guns Do the Job
When the French advanced Thurs
day they passed on either side OF Les
Tiias. leaving the redoubt in a pocket:
Since then there has been continual
fighting about this position, which was
rendered doubly strong through the
nresence of considerable flooded tract
and artificial bitches. The intense ar
tillery fire yesterday played havoc with
the redoubt and the garrison finally
surrendered, an officer and twenty
three men being taken prisoner. Inc
officer said that they had intended TO
fight to a finish, but changed their
minds when the big guns began their
work. =, til;
Mondovi Farm was similar position,
living in an angle formed by the 81
Jansbeek and the Breenbeek AS IN the
case of Les Lilas, the French artillery
bombarded the garrison into submis-
sion and they surrendered during last
night. The Germans later tried TO
she'll the French out Of MondoVl, but
were unsuccessful.
The total number Of prisoners and
guns captured by the French is not yet
available, but the prisoners will aggre-
gate over 400 and about fifteen guns
were taken. The small number of pris-
oners is due largely TO the fact that the
Germans were holding most Of this sec
tion in small garrisons in numerous
redoubts like Les Lilas.
The correspondent of The Associated
Press to-day found the greatest spirit
of optimism prevailing among the
French troops. They are feeling ex-
ceedingly good over their successes and
their morale is at the highest pitch.
Hot Fight at Front
The fighting Thursday at Polygon
was unusually desperate. Wave after
wave of the enemy came surging up
against the London troops, who held on
dcterminedly with rife and bayonet
until two simultaneous counter attacks
from different directions forced them
to retreat.
Gradually they withdrew, fighting all
the way. Some few of them, indeed,
were surrounded and fought until
forced TO surrender. One young officer
in command Of ten men found himself
encircled by the enemy and his men
being swept by machine gun fire. The
last heard Of him was contained in a
message he signalled back 20 his divi-
SION saying that MS men were facing
certain death and that he saw no way
but TO surrender and save their lives.
Fierce German Attacks
Late reports regarding the German
counter attack this morning against
the Canadian positions northeast of
Lens show that IL was most desper-
ate attempt 10 regain territory lost by
the invader in the great British assault
Of Wednesday. German prisoners say
that word had been passed to them that
they must retake Hill 20 at any cost,
and the ferceness Of the German coun-
ter attacks since this hill was wrested
from them and British positions es-
tablished IN front of it indicate that
this statement is true.
Killed in Mimic War