The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-08-15
CGAN(JCCKS
WIN BIC
VIC TORY
Took Hill Which
Dominates Lens
AT Early Hour
Today
MAY soon HAVE CITY
French Also Score ImpOr-
tant Gains in Vicinity
of Dixmude.
NAY soon HAVE CITY.
,By Associated Press>

BRITISH FRONT IN FRANCE AND
BELGIUM, Aug. 15.-Hill No. 70, the
firmest German stronghold northwest
Of the French mining city of Lens
which dominates the city OF the Loos
salient, was captured this morning by
the Canadian forces. The British also
pushed their lines into the northwest
ern enyirons of Lens in a semicircle
around tho. eastern side of Hill 70,
The British attack was made on a
4,OO0-yard front which had an extreme
depth OF 1900 yards.
The British guns had been pounding
for days on Hill 70 which the Germans
considered impregnable. The infantry
attacks began at 425 O'Clock this
morning.
The capture OF Hill 70 ranks In I'M
portance with the biggest military
operations of this year 1t was the last
dominating position in this section
which remained in the hands OF the
Germans From it wide territory
can be controlled.
LONDON, Aug. 15.-Field Marshal
Sir Douglas Haig's forces attacked the
German positions along wide front
early this morning from Lens to the
northeast Of Loos.
The official statement says the Brit
Ish are making progress satisfactorily.
Gen. Haig reports that the British
troops had carried the German first
line at all points of the attack.
PARIS, Aug. 15.-The French attack
I'd in Belgium last night and made con-
siderable advance in the region OF Dix
nude road, the War office announces.
The British and French returned to
The attack in northern France and Bel
zium last night and preliminary re-
ports indicate that they have won con-
siderable successes. The principal
blow was struck by the British on a
front of 1000 yards from the north
western ouCSkirts of Lens to the north
sast of Loos. Gen. Haig announces
hat his troops carried the German
front lines at all points and are max
Ing satisfactory progress.
Since the beginning Of the attack on
the north end of the Franko.Belgium
line which apparently has been select
cd by the British and French for their
principle effort in the summer CAM
oaign, the Canadians have been max.
ing steady progress around Lens driv-
Ing slowly into the outskirts of thi.
Important and bitterly disputed mining
center. The new attack on the front
Immediately north OF Lens evidently
Is designed to close around the city
from the north. If successful this
operation may compel the Germans to
pYacuate the town without direct at.
lack on it with the heavy sacrifices.
such a move would probably involve.
The French attack was made near
the coast in the vicinity of Dixmude.
The official communication from Paris
reports good progress west Of the Dix.
nude road. London also announces
gains by the Bntent troops northwest
Of Bixschoote in the sector north Of
Ypres.
Active operations continue on the
Aisne front, The French positions be,
tween Hurtebise and Craonne were
bombarded heavily during the night
but the Germans did not renew the in.
iantry action which had cost them
such heavy losses in the last few weeks
In vain efforts to expel the French
nom commanding positions.
Two more steamers Of Norway's di.
minishing merchant fleet have been
sunk They are the Falkland, 4,S77
tons gross an dtl1e Capella, S77 tons.
Two men we're lost on the Falkland
which was sunk in the North Sea.