The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-04-16
Germans Capture Neuve Eglise, But
Elsewhere Are Repulsed With Heavy
Losses---Decisive Issue of Battle BE.
lieved Close at Hand

London, April 15Neuve Eglise-New Church-the ht.la
town three miles to the southwest southern slopes o
Messlnes ridge and little less than six miles slightly NORTH
east OF Baeu fell to the Germans today after four avss
nae which it had changed hands several times The turn.
ing menace to the ridge and Baeu thus been increased
Now new fierce battle for Bailleu is in progress
But ohsettng this to Haig troops in the center Of
1e nne north OF the Lys IS marked stienng of British
resistance IN every other sector vital northern battle
stenng which has resulted bloody checks to the eney
10 the northwest of Merve for instance the pistol point
OF the German wedge assaults fresh uced
euton shock troops sohered by the British whose Ya
siashed bloody lanes into the onstorming enemy ranks
nar punishment was meted out to German divisions try.
Ing ~ pierce the BRUSH positions north of the canal the
east OF Rooec the farthest point of the German advance
some nlteen miles southwest of Armentieres
IN this sector the Teuons not onv beaten hacl ;t
ose out the British even took prisoners $50 mum.
Der, and several machine guns.
AT the moment the German right finally bit itself into thu
near OF Neuve Eghs the left thinking the ripe for
concentr1c attack Baleu launched terrific Thrust NORTH
ward 1t succeeded in penetrating the British lines bus
promptly Haig troops came back in vcious counter th.s
and restored their positions.
Thus the situation late this evening stood favorable for thu
British everywhere except between Messines ridge and Baie
The French renforcements whose arrival Hag heraded a
ms famous order Of the day reported approaching the
Lys battlefield and before hours have passed thew are
pected to be in the thick of the struggle
Upon following up the capture of Neuve Egise by swirl
advance norhward which would take British Meses
dge position In the rear hinges the sole chances
to telling before numerical balance is re-
stored and he must his costly onaughs forced
to cease them before Amiens.
Fully that this last chance matter of hours thu
Germans this afternoon and evening hurled all available dv
weary DatLered freshly
on the mile front between Meteren and Neuve Egse in
burca attempt to spike all British between the high
positions and thus isolate the latter surround them al
leisure.
Unless Baleul captured and Messnes ridge completely
turned by morning experts here agree the German Ls drvo
will be definitely stopped the Amiens offensive
foe must his luck elsewhere In that drive looked
for almost Immediately the between Ypres and tho
That things going schedule beginning to be
admitted by the press The Franurter Zeung for
instance boldly stated today that the full strategic plan Him
denburg has not been realized.
The time to realize appears passed to the German
critics The psychological period for real scale
the first three days. and that the Germans fully
counted upon indicated by the fact that Emperor William
the battlefield from Tuesday until Thursdayhe battle
began week ago tomorrow.
Meanwhile, however the school children of Berlin
given holiday today after the teachers showed them thu
map the ground gained by the German troops
New battle signs before Aniens accommodating. Incl
denta the French and British in the last twenty -four hours
materially improved their positions around
terre miles southeast of Amiens Prisoners taen
thruss between Mondider and Noyon tho French
$50 prisoners in the last three days Paris
Germans launched rather vigorous infantry At
tacks Asne between the Chen Des Danes and
the region southeast of Corbeny These beaten Oh tho
French.