New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-19
Two Enemy Forts Between
Langemarck and Blk
schoote Reduced
Canadians Beat Back
German Assaults
Petain's Troops Retake
Trenches Lost North
of Verdun

LONDON, Aug. 1S.-The Battle OF
Flanders appears about to enter its
third phase with intensive preparations
on the part Of the Allies which include
a bombardment on the coast and north
east of 'Ypres approaching drumhre
and fighting in the air more determined
than any which has previously occurred
in the war.
Infantry fighting on the West front
was confined to three courageous but
fruitless German counter attacks on the
new Canadian positions between Loos
and Lens, new progress by the French
between Langcmarck and Bixschoote,
where two enemy forts were reduced;
small encounters along the Chemin des
Danes and a we'll executed thrust by
Petain's storming troops north Of YER
dun, in which trenches recently lost to
the Germans in Caurieres Wood were
recovered.
Winning in the Air
For two days air conditions have IA
vored the Germans, strong westerly
winds prevailing. This, naturally, has
made it more difficult for the Allied
planes damaged in fights over the Ger
man lines TO return to their airdromes.
and consequently a greater number Of
British machines is reported missing
But, in the official statements from the
three belligerent capitals, the proper
tion Of German to Allied loss has re-
mained about two to one.
Yesterday forty-one German ma
chimes were accounted for, while Berlin
asserts that twenty-six Allied planes
were brought down, together With four
captive balloons. The French last night
conducted bombing raids far into Ger
man territory, dropping fourteen tons
Of explosives. To-night's British state
ment reports that thirty German planes
we're put out of commission, eighteen
OF them being driven down out of con-
troll, while twelve British machines
failed to return. The usual British tao
tics Of harassing the enemy with ma
chine gun fire and bombs from aero
plane platforms were followed method
ically, and an unusually large number
of aerial photographs, on which Cen
eral Haig's artillery fire is based, were
taken.
Admission by Berlin
Berlin finally admits the loss of
Langemarck, but the British indicate
the German War Office has invented a
special engagement to account for it.
The German bulletin says that the
British took the village yesterday
afternoon in a surprise attack deliv-
cred on both sides of the railway run
ming north from Boesinghe. Hinden-
burg's troops are now said to be occu-
pving the fat bend ain front" of the
town.
According to the British General
staff, Langemarck was overrun in the
first rush Thursday morning and the
British troops occupied half mile OF
territory beyond, since when they have
remained in undisturbed possession OF
their gains.
The only fighting of any sort re
ported from this neighborhood was to
tbe northwest, where the French re-
dpced two concrete Notifications which
had been pocketed in the early ad-
vance. Heavy artillery was brought up,
and when the monster shells began 70
dron on the German defences the en-
emv swarmed out and surrendered.
Sacrifice Continues
Hindenburg continues to sacrifice his
best troops in futile attempts TO re-
cover Hill 20 or render il untenable for
tho Canadians. The earliest German at
tack in that area took place last night
northwest of Lens, but after sharp
fobtinc the Germans fed, leaving some
prisoners.
Two more thrusts occurred to-day,
one against the new Canadian positions
east Of Loos, and the other near the
Hugo Wood. which straddles the road
between Loos and Hulluch.
In the first the Germans were caught
ar short range in the British barrage,
and most of them we're moved down
before they could get back to their own
trenches. In the second they came for
yard with fame throwers, but again
failed to reach the British lines. Ever
sincc Hill 10 was lost the German bat
teries have been pounding it with heavy
shells.
Cannonade on Aisne
The steady cannonade which has been
going on for week along the Aisne
front. in the Champagne, and on both
hanks of the Meuse did not abate to-
day. but the only infantry attack OF I'M
nortance was carried out by the French,
uho reconouered their lost trenches IN
Csurieres Wood, near Verdun, in one OF
the swift drives for which Petain mas
become famous.
Apparently the Germans are expect
inq strong French attacks in this re-
zion. but the violent artillery FIRE may
be only a blind for operations on otner
fronts Small German assaults on the
Chemin des Danes and near Steinbaen
in Alsace were broken up.
Germans Must Watch FLINDERS
Commenting on the Flanders fight
ing, the military expert Of THE Man.
chester Guardian" says: "If the Fight
ing continues at its present intensity
a powerful German offensive toward
the east is out of the question. II viii
be brought TO standstill By danGer
nearer home. Flanders is closer to
Germany, both graphically and TO.
litically, accuse the German General
staff has chosen to stake everything on
Belgium. The recovery OF Flanders
would not only deprive them Of base
against England, but OF the advantages
for the sake Of which they committed
the crime and mistake OF invading Bel
gium. That is why they counter attack
so persistently as soon ss they lose
any ground.