The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-10-09
Associated Press
War Summary


Without regard TO highly unfav-
orable weather conditions and in a
surprisingly short time after the
successful British thrust of last
week, the British and French forces
in Belgium have launched another
heavy attack on the German lines.
The blow fell early today east and
northeast of Ypres, where Crown
Prince Rupprecht's lines had already
been dangerously bent.
The British commander early re-
ported satisfactory progress. The
attack, he announced. was made in
conjunction with our allies on our
left"
Shortly afterward the Paris on
cial statement indicated clearly that
the French forces in Flanders were
those alluded to by the British com
mander-in chief The launching OF
an attack in concert with the British
was announced and the favorable
development Of the attack reported.
French troops took part in the
beginning of the Flanders drive on
July 81 and in subsequent fighting
consolidated the ground won by
them from a point northeast of
Langemarck as far north as Dix
nude.
Straiuhtsn Line.
This section Of the front remain
ed comparatively quiet while the
British TO the south were renewing
their drive last month. Apparently
the time is now considered opportune
for bringing the line to the north
more nearly on the level with the
advanced British front. The French
attack today extended as far north
as Houtholst forest. about five miles
toward the coast from Bixschoote.
It had been pointed out that, with
the salient parts OF the Passchen-
daeIe -GheIuvelt ridge In their hands
as the result of their success last
week, the British were in an ad-
mirable position to push further east
towards the Menin-R Roulers railway
This Invaluable line of communlca
ton for the Germans between their
bases i'm southwestern Belgium and
northern France and their Belgian
eosst positionR was already eon}-
lmanded blythe BRUSH GINS.
The renewed push is toward TIE
line. which before this morning
attack began was about five and one
half miles from the point OF tine
British wedge at Broodseinde.
German Morale Shaken.
Numerous indications have been
found, according to reports from the
Flanders front, that the German
morale in this sector had hotapiy
deteriorated under the crushing
blows Of the British and their over
yyheITninR artillery superiority. Lack
of the former vigor in the German
counter attacks and their compare
tive infrequency are cited at corro-
borative Of this.
The theory is thus suggested tnaI
despite the unfavorable weatner
Conditions. Field Marshal Haig de-
cided to hit the Germans another
hard blow while they were stu
staggering from the effects oS their
defeat last week and thus shake stu
further their already precarious hoio
ON western Belgium, possibly TO tne
point where they would be compelieo
to let go. z,J
Renorts of the fighting made 1t
arnear that a determined push was
6sirg made by the British to close
an ON the remainder of the faS-
schendaele- -Gheluvelt ridge. Thelr
stroke seemingIy was directed noFth-
Eastward from Broodseinde and east
ward from Poelcappelle, both move
mems aiming toward Passchendaele'
crowning the northern sector OF the
ridge two miles from Broodselhoe
and about four miles from Poelcap-
In the process the British penneo
In a German force just north OF
Rroodseinde. The Germans were
caught there in Daisy WOOD. Ihey
resisted strongly. but the brltlsh mao
them SURROUNDED. cu.
Further northward the Germans
were driven out of the part OF the
village Of Poelcappelle, to whlcn
thew were still clingtng. The Brltlsn
Dusbed on beyond and began nshtins
their way through the eastern out
SKIRTS OF the town. The assault also
xVas nressed eastward from tne
Broodseinde ridge, the British ad-
vancing some distance along lhe
lower ground towards the houlers-
Menin road. ,-...
The British met strong resistance
at PoIderhoek chateau, which Lhey
reached early in the advance. Iney
were forced back a little by heavy
machine gun fire. At the time OF the
latest reports they had again pushed
forward in the direction OF Hout-
hoIst forest and at an early hour
were reported fighting about Mans
geIar. some 1900 yards beyond their
original front lines. At $3.50 O'Clock
aNH