The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-01-08
BIC OFFENSIVE
 BY HUNS WILL SOON BE OPENED
(Continued rom Page 1.)

paItle or the Somme and in turn played a. great part in the repeated drives in Flanders,
 'HThe impending German offensive will possibly be their great assault. The French and British armies can be relied on to withstand the shock
 "In the west no important opera tions took place during the last sev- en day period. The entire front from the North Sea to the Swiss border was very active. The Germans con- tinued their widely scattered thrusts while the French and British parried with numerous accommodating raids and careful patrolling. They remain ed on the Qui vive, taking note of ev- cry minor change in the German or der of battle, keeping closely inform ed Of hostile troops movements and concentrations.
 "In the Cambrai area the enemy undertook an attack in force Here the Germans in attempting a flanking movement, which had as it's immedi- ate objective the further narrowing down of the British salient, were able to penetrate and hold temporarily certain British trench elements south
  ducted with great energy. The Brit iSh immediately countered and were able to recapture a part of their lost positions.
 Another hostile thrust was under taken close to the Canal du Nord, where the enemy scored a local ad- vantage as he was able slightly to press back the British.
 Southeast of Lens the enemy made a renewed attempt to reach the British outposts, but this assault col 1 lapsed before any result could be ob- ta1ned, while the British later in the week advanced their trenches in this area.
 Minor raids were carried on throughout the week by both the Brit ish and the Germans. Numerous pa trol encounters also were report ed.
 tTntense artillery bombardments in the Lens and Cambrai sectors would indicate that the enemy has selected this terrain for a concentrated as- sault.
 '"The French front remains rela- lively quiet. Severe cold prevailed Spirited artillery contests were report ed in Champagne and in the region of the right bank of the Mouse. Hos tile infantry activity was noted in the region east of St. Mihiel and near St. Quentin, but the efforts to set in notion an attack against the French lines were in each case readily dis persed.
 After fighting on the defensive for 10 weeks, the Italians, firmly sup ported by the F'ranco-British forces have been able to reorganize their dis positions in the field. Thereupon the French, saizing a favorable op- portunity, passed to the offensive in the neighborhood of Monte Tomba. The outcome of their undertaking was singularly fortunate. This vitaIly important strategic point, which, had it remained in the hands of the ene- my, would have afforded him great advantage, was taken by the French as the climax of a. dashing assault against very strong and difficult posi- tions
 Nearly 1,4oo Austrian prisoners were captured. The success of the French turned the scale. The Ital- fans, encouraged by this victory, at once set about driving the enemy across the Piave. The Austrians sought to effect crossing of the river in the vicinity of Instadura, about 10 miles from the ,Adriatic. Large con- tingents were gathered for this opera ton. Owing to the vigorous nature of Italian resistance complete failure at- tended the undertaking and the ene- my was driven back with serious loss The Austrian detachments which have held the bridge head at Benson on the right bank of the Piave for the last five weeks were also driven out by an impetuous attack and forced to retire across the river, so that no hostile units now remain on the west bank of the Piave.
 '"rhe Britfsh lead in raiding enemy positions across the river Their sal lies achieved excellent results, as they were able to infIict much damage on hostile outworks and took a number of prisoners. Heavy snow has at last fallen in the Alpine regions, which greatly hampers the Austro- Germans It will be a tremendous task for them to keep their lines of communication i open in the mountain area. Trans | port problems are at all times pecu- | larly difficult in this theater and un- der the added burden of unfayorable | winter weather the practical advan- tage which the enemy has hitherto | enjoyed by holding the higher eground will be neutraIized by his transporta- ton diflculties--