New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
Dash Along Both Sides of
Ancre Breaks Chain of
German DefenCeS
ATTACKS TO SPREAD
NORTH OF SOMME
British Success Most I'm
portant Since End of Their
Offensive in November

London. Feb. THE village of
Grandcourt, an important link in the
chain Of German defences west Of
Bapaume, was captured by Haig's
troops to-day in a spirited dash along
both sides of the Ancre River A de-
fence work adjoining the village also
fell into the hands of the British.
This is the most important success
the British have gained on the West
front since the end of the Ancre OF
fensive, last November. II gives them
an effective grip on the encmy's lines
in the Ancre sector and paves the way
for attacks on the fortresses of Mlrau-
mont and Pys, the chief protection OF
Bapaume on the west. Moreover, II
sets well in motion an offensive large
enough in scope to provide the mo-
mentum for an advance that may only
be terminated by the spring thaw.
So long as the ice coating on the
marshes of the Ancre holds firm the
British troops may be expected 10
make the most of this opportunity OF
battering away the hardest obstacles
to a wider thrust in the spring and
summer months.
Offensive Likely to Spread
The offensive likely will spread 10
the line north of the Somme before
many days, as the allied plan of cam
paign in this region calls for stimuli
taneous pressure at both ends OF the
line. both north of the Ancre and along
the Peronue road, where TranSloy at
present blocks the way. Recent ac,
tivity at lie Sars, Warlencourt and
Gueudecourt indicates that the pres
sure on the centre of the line will not
be relaxed.
On the remainder of the West front
minor operations were numerous, pa
trolls and raiding parties OF both sides
showing unusual activity and aviators
engaging in many combats. In bOr-
raine German detachments in sharp
attack penetrated the French trenches
near the Embermenil salient, but
counter attack speedily drove theme
back.
Raids of varying success were car
ried out by the British near La Bassee,
BY the French in the Forest of Parroy
and on the right bank Of the Mouse,
and by the Germans in the Argonne, IN
Lorraine and on the Somme, Meuse and
Ancre. Berlin claims the capture in
these enterprises of sixty prisoners and
three machine guns. The German losses
are reported by Paris and the British
War Office. to have been exceptionally
heavy.
Eight Airplanes Brought Down
In aerial encounters yesterday and
to-day six German planes were brought
down, three by British and three by
French aviators. Two British machines
were lost. Lieutenant Huerteaux, OF
the French service, accounted for MS
twentieth victim. German aircraft pom
barded Dunkirk yesterday, but did lit
tie damage. Berlin reports that one
woman and sixteen Belgian children
were killed when British aircraft at
tackled Bruges recently.
On the Russian front the Germans
and Austrians undertook an offensive
on the Beresina River which won for
them an island and Russian trench
line, but counter attacks deprived them
of all their gains. according to Petro-
grad. In describing the same operation,
Berlin states that fifty men and two
officers were taken prisoner and the
Russian works destroyed. Successful
raids on the Kovel-Lutsk Railroad are
also reported i'm the German statement.
ON the RumanIan front there was q
renewal OF minor activity after a
pause OF several weeks. Russian I'D
vance guards dislodged the enemy
from trenches south of the river
Sloniu and held them in the face Of
violent counter blows Last night the
Germans. two companies strong,
crossed the frozen Sereth near Surai,
10 the southeast of Focsani, and as
sailed the Russian positions, but the
raking fire of the defenders batteries
checked the onrush and drove the
scattered attachments Of the enemy
I..L nyer tho stream