The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-09
Break Thru on a TWO-Mile
Front Near Lens.
Counter Attacks on Ypres Fail
to Gust TOmmies.
HOLD "IMPREGNABLE FORT"
Belgian Salient Entirely Wiped
Out by Advancing BritOns.
Counter Offense Against French
Is Broken Up.

London, June 9-The British at
tackled last night south of the Souchez
river and entered the German posi-
lions on a front of more than two
miles the war office announces.
The German line was penetrated to
depth of more than half a mile.
Heavy casualties were inflicted on the
Germans.
The Germans made a powerful
counter attack last night over nearly
the whole length of the new front.
They were repulsed completely, the
British retaining all the ground cap
| tured.
The British chief.
General Haig, today reported a new
drive south of Lens, by which British
forces on "a wide front south of
Souchez" entered German post ons
"or a front of over two miles and to
depth of more than half a mile"
THE fighting was particularly
fierce east of Messings; also in the
neighborhcod of Kleinzillebeki," EIaig
continued
I'VE retain all ground gained and
the enemy's losses were heavy. From
south of Lens and Labassee opera
lions were carried out with complete
success or a wide front South of the
SOucheZ We entered German positions
on front of over two miles and to
depth of more than half a mile, inflict-
ing heavy casualties on the enemy.
Ours were light
South of the Souche;. river, south
east of Locs, and southwest of Labas-
see large numbers of Germans were
killed and there was great damage
done to their defenses."
Considered Position Impregnable.
London, June 9.-The counter-at-
tack stage was reached by the British
advance in the Ypres-Wytschaete sec
tor today. All thru the night, front
dispatches said the victorious Tom
mics were busy consolidating their
new positions. digging fresh trench
systems and preparing for the expect
ed enemy counter thrusts. The Ger
man assaults of this type which, ac-
cording to the rules of the war game,
by the British, at first noticeably
weak, are becoming desperate. The
Generalization caused by the unprec-
edentedly terrific British artillery fire
and the mine operations all seemed to
have had their effect on the Germans.
The ''Ypres salient" now wiped out
in the British advance, was formerly
considered so impregnable by the
enemy that not near the number of
men were held there that manned less
strongly fortified positions elsewhere
on the front. The Germans, however
: had ample time in which to hurry re.
serves in great strength to make ready
| for the assault which they could see
was preparing.
Rush Reserves to Save Lille.
But the Messines- Wytschaete ridge
1 now held by the British-the i'm
pregnable position" taken-it was
pointed out today that from now on
/ Germany must keep an unusually
strong force always opposite the Ypres
| sector because of the menace toward
Lille. The British victory therefore is
not alone important in the ground
/ gained. the commanding strategic DO
sition on the ridge now held, but also
/ because it will further deplete the re-
serve strength of the enemy, by the
necessity of the Germans massine
forces around Lille.
French Hold Back Enemy.
Paris, June 9.-Germany's continued
| counter-offensive blows against the
French lines were again fruitless after
severe night fighting, the war office
reported today.
North of st. Quentin during the
night artillery fire was very active,
the statement said. ION Chemin Des
Danes from south of Filain to east of
ICereny the enemy renewed his attacks
with the accompaniment of artillery
fire in all sectors. Northeast of
Cereny four successive attacks were
broken up in our fire.
North of Froidmont two German
raids were checked with heavy losses.
Southeast of Corheny and south of
lCourcy in Chevalier wood enemy de-
ltachments were repulsed."