New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-23
British Clear
Way for Drive
Against Doual
Straighten Line Southwest
Of Cambria; Parry
Counter Blows
Germans Lose IA
Aeros, the Allies 6
French Hold Ground and
Advance in the
Champagne

London, April 22.-Fighting activity,
almost suspended on the front from
Scissors through the Champagne,
swung back again to-day to that great
segment Of the new Hindenburg line
faced by Haig's forces. The British
cleared the wooded angle stubbornly
held by the Germans between Hermies
and Gonnelieu, about eight miles south
west of Cambria.
Both the day and night bulletins
from Berlin emphasize the extreme vio-
lcnce of the British artillery fire at
many points on the Arras front. north
and south of the River Scarpe.
Every indication-the German COM
muniques, the heavy gun duels, the
revival of scouting in the air-points
to a renewal of the grand offensive by
the British armies in that rhythmic
warfare" which began with the storm
ing of vimy Ridge. Present signs sug-
gest that Haig is aiming his blow down
the valley of the Scarpe toward Douai,
which is admittedly the British objec-
I tive and the northern pier upon which
Hindenburg built his retreat from the
/ Somme.
One Defence Faces British
The British have already advanced
a third of the way between Arras aid
! Douai. Between them and their OBJ
! jective there is said to be but one 3ys'
tenn of German defence, the supple
mentary Hindenburg line which rams
from Queaht, south of the Scarpe;
northward to Drocourt.
The successful fighting reported in
to-night's British bulletin followed
! naturally, upon the capture Of the WI
lage of Gonnelieu Friday night, and
. was pressed in the effort 10 straight
en- the line between Arras and ST.
Quentin, which now swings Re-
tween the two cities without pro-
nounced salient anywhere.
/ New British Gains
South of Havrincourt. on both sides
of the Peronne- Cambria road, there
is a wood about three miles square,
and within this cover the Germans,
with their machine guns. had estab-
lished themselves strongly. Northwest
of it the British for some time have
held the town of Hermies Southeast
of it they first took GouzeaucJurt,
following with the capture of Come
! lieu.
According to the official report to-
night, the British have carried the
southern portion of Trescault village,
at the base OF the angle, leaving the
Germans in possession only Of that
narrow neck of wood which runs up
toward Havrncour..'
Around Lens, also, the struggle is be-
coming more bitter, bur continues to
/ favor the British troops. West and
northwest OF the city the British bored
Z in to-day, capturing prisoners and ma
chine guns. Three counter attacks
Z launched by the Germans failed. BY
afternoon the engagement had extended
/ TO the southwest of Loos, where more
ground was gained.
French Front Quiet
Aside from a continuous cannonade
and savage German counter attacks
there was little activity from St. Quen-
tin to the Champagne. On the Cra-
onne plateau, north Of Sancy and Jouy,
Paris reports the only French prog
ress. Paris tonight reports a series
of furious but unsuccessful enemy
counter attacks on the new positions
established on the Moronvilliers hills.
The British night communique says
six German machines were driven down
and five more destroyed. one of them
by an anti-aircraft gun, during the day.
Four British planes are missing. Ber-
lin says six Allied aircraft were
brought down yesterday, Of which five
were the victims OF Baron Won RIGHT
hofen's chasing squadron. An Allied
airship is reported to have been sent
into the sea in flames by German naval
fiers. Paris says three hostile planes
were accounted for.