Republican farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1810-1920, 1918-04-12
Kaiser Attempts To
Annihilate English
Army By Offensive
TROOPS YESTERDAY FAILED TO
HOLD FOE - MESSINES RIDGE HAS
CHANGED HANDS SEVERAL TIMES
IN FIERCE FIGHTING.


Germans driving from the southwest Of the town, strug
Cling to push forward the southwest Of Messnes ridge
the key point of the British line in Flanders
Messne ridge itself has been the objective Of desperate
attacks Germans reported pushed the
ridge several times during fierce hand to hand fighting Each
me however the British effectively counter attacked and to-
day still holding the ridge.
West Of Amentieres the enemy struggling in his deep
ent has pushed the fighting to the limit and at time c
ceeded in driving about three miles beyond the river L to La
Creche By vigorous counter attacks the British oused the
Germans of La Creche and neighboring terrain
HAIG STILL HOLDS TOWN
Wyschaete, south Of Messnes under heavy German
attacks and possession of changed hands several times but
this morning found Field Marshal Haigs troops holding the
town.
There was fight Lesrem, at the western
Tip of the salient the river Lave. The Germans
their way this place yesterday but unable to
farther and ultimately were driven out of it and back
across the Lave
of Armentieres had been forecast and dis
counted the place without strategcal value What left
the full Of gas hanging there from the copous gas
IsEell bombardments.
North Of Armeneres British position hinges Ploe-
geser and Poegser wood which the line bected this
ling.
FIGHT ALONG Is MILE FRONT
There let up in the engagement today the battle
continuing the entire 25 mile front from La Bassee north
the Ypres- Confines canal, just below Ypres.
Prisoners declare the offensive above Armeneres will be
extended 40 kilometres norhward Everything the Germans
put against the British will be kept this front and des
perate fighting must be expected.
Yesterdays gains south of Armentere made mainly
Through the Portuguese 'front.' which the German deliver
their attack The assault had been anticipated and the
present line to which the Allies fell back prepared
counter move to check the rush
| DOCUMENT REVEALS PLANS
captured German document shows that the German plan
ambitious They expected push through far
Behune circular movement southwark along the canal
This document stated that the ratio of forces would be three
German regiments British companies and certainly the
enemy outnumbered the Allies greatly.
The British division which made such gallant stand at
Gvenchy twice throwing the Germans out then holding the
place, recorded as being very weak
The Germans began the attack with intense lombard
ment p down their heaviest barrages
seen. Under protection of this they advanced.
Il VANGUARD OF U. S. FORCE
the northern front American soldiers, the vanguard of
large force have joined the British The first force
only battalion in strength but other American conngents
are moving forward rapidly Gen. Pershing greet
ed enthusiastically by the British
II Desperate fighting continues uninerruptedly IS mile
front between Gvenchy and Wyschaete with the
suffering losses for small gains against the strong Brit
defense In two days of heavy the
has not gained point Of srategca importance and the
British still dominate the battlefield from the heights
sines ridge the north and Givenchy the south.
Armentieres, where the attack launched Tues
day. have made little additional progress although
they have the left bank of the L between Estaire
ST. Maur Repeated attacks against the line
between Eares and Gvenchy toward Bethune beer
checked sanguinariy Berlin claims the capture 5000
and 400 guns this sector on Tuesday.
Emperor William and the military leaders in thf
present offensive plan the wpng out of the British army
believed that the Germans seriously attempting b,
Swinging their attacks the north British resist
ance consequence further assaults along British from
land much desperate fighting are expected