Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-11
BRITONS CAPTURE
ELEVEN THOUSAND
Germans Driven from Northern
End of Vimy Ridge and
Eastern Slope Cleared.
FIGHTING ON WIDE FRONT

CONTINUED Fro:l Page 0ne.)
Fighting continued along the entire
battle front.
The British have seized the village
of Fampoux and the neighboring de.
lenses north and south OF the Scarpe
river. The Germans made strong
attack on narrow front southeast
OF Ypres and reached the British
support lines. They were driven from
the British trenches by counter at
tack.
Enemy Elected.
The announcement, which is timed
li:50 a. M, is as follows:
During the night there was severe
fighting at the northern end OF Vimy
ridge, where the enemy had retained
footing. He was elected and an at
tempted counter attack failed to ma
terialize. The eastern slope OF the
ridge has been cleared Of the enemy
and counter attacks repulsed.
"Our troops advanced and seized
the village OF Fampoux and neigh
boring defenses north and south OF
the Scarpe.
1.-THE number Of prisoners taken
yesterday exceeds 1000 and over forty
guns have been captured.
"In the neighborhood Of St. QUEEN
tin the enemy has been driven from
the high ground between lie Yer
guier and Hargicourt. Fighting con-
tinues throughout the whole battle
front.
after an intense bombardmcnt the
enemy made strong attack last night
on narrow front southeast OF Ypres
and succeeded in reaching our support
lines. He was Immediately elected
from our trenches, leaving several
dead"
News Stirs London.
The news OF the successful OPEN
ing of the new British offensive has
stirred high hope among the people
throughout the country. Watever the
enemy may have claimed as to the
retreat in the Somme sector having
been prearranged and strategical, it is
commended that their recoil before the
blow delivered in the Arras-Lens reg
ion cannot be explained away in such
manner. 1t Is urged that there is no
possible voluntary element In this re-
tirement and that there can be no
dispute as to who took the initiative.
A new chapter in the conflict on the
western front has begun and whether
or not it is to prove the beginning of
decisive battle, it is bound, accord
ing to the prevalent opinion here, to
lead to results of the highest impor-
lance. The main feature OF the bat
tie thus far on which attention has
been focused, is the capture of Vimy
ridge. The immense value of this
series of heights which dominate the
plain from an elevation OF 400 to 500
feet has been recognized throughout
the war and great sacrifices have been
regarded as justihable IL they resulted
in its possession. The French and
Germans fought fercely for control
OF the ridge in the summer of 1915,
both sides suffering heavy losses, but
in the end the Germans held the main
portion Of the position. Later the
British took over the French lines
and were ousted by the Germans from
the part of the ridge which had been
won by their predecessors.
Important Strategic Position.
One military critic, commenting on
the present battle. thus describes the
importance of Vimy heights.
They are admittedly the bastion
OF the enemy's western line. What
ever else has been allowed to 20 he
held Why ridge with firm resolve
and lavished upon it all the arts in
Notifications and defensive skill that
the war has taught him. Upon it hinges
the whole strategy of the enemy's re-
treat in the west. With Vimy firmly
held he can swing his line farther south
slowly back, until each part of it
reaches the position where he has
mind to stand and he can cover the
French industrial districts upon which
he depends much for supplies. But
with Vimy gone the defense OF these
districts can hardly be maintained.
The pivot Of the whole retreat shifts
and gives backward and is in instant
risk Of fracture"
The issues depending upon British
ability TO hold the ridge are there
lore immense. At the moment there
is nothing to suggest doubt that
the ridge will be held, but the battle
is still fercely continuing and there
is little disposition here to indulge
in confident predictions. Nevertheless
the opinion is expressed that il the
Germans are definitely driven from
the ridge without hope Of reattack-
ing they are likely enough to be com.
PEELED to acknowledge defeat and to
retire to what is called the Meuse
line, running from Verdun through
Mezieres, Maubeuge and Lille.
Front Fifty Miles Long.
In the meantime the fighting goes
on over front of about fifty miles,
roughly, from Lens to St. Quentin,
the core of attack being around the
north Of Arras. As far as informa-
ton goes, everything is going we'll for
the British and justihes their sanguine
hopes, but the comments today gen.
orally include warning not to allow
these hopes to run too high. The
enemy is known to have great re-
serves at hand and an iron compulsion
binds him to make every effort to
avoid defeat. The papers warn the
country that it should await the event
in spirit of sober expectation and