Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-29
Huns Strike at Voorme-
zeele Hoping to Cut Off
Haig's Forces.
(Bv Associated Pressl

iBy Associated fTesb)
The Germans today began
what seems TO be general as
sault on the British hill posi-
tiOns on the KENNEL front,
southwest OF Ypres. opening a
new phase OF the great drive in
FLANDERS. Apparently the cru
cial test OF the allied holding
power In this area Is at hand.
The preliminary lombard
ment started in the early
morning. took in a ten mile
front from Meteren, west of
Ballleul to YOOrmeZeele, two
miles south of Ypres. Infantry
attacks in this area developed
shortly afterward and the bat
tie appears TO have been on In
earnest when Field Marshal
Haig's report was issued In
London at noon.
The enemy has been striking
with great fury at YOOrmezeeIe
for the last two or three days,
eventually hoping TO drive In
behind HpreS and break up the
orderly withdrawal of the Brit
ish from the further positions 4
Of the Ypres salient which they
have been evacuating.
Further attacks in the YOOr-
mezeele sector may accompany
the delivery of tOday's blow but
the greatest force OF this thrust
seems likely to manifest itself
In the vicinity of LOcre, where
Scharpenberg, Mont ROage,
Mont Note and other eminences
are the enemy ObiectiYes.
London, April 29.-The Germans
this morning opened a heavy bonn
bardment with high explosive and
gas shells on the entire front be
tween Meteren and Voormezeele,
south and southwest of Ypres, the
war Office says today. Infantry at
takes developed shortly afterward.
An enemy attack which developed
Yesterday afternoon in the vicinity
Of Locre, west of Mount KENNEL,
" as repulsed.
There was great activity by the
hostile artillery during last night
rom the river Scarpe, opposite
Arras. north OF Lens. and between
iivenchy and Nieppe wood, on the
southern side OF the Lys battle
'front.'.
The post near Festubert, north OF
3ivenchy taken by the Germans
asst week, was recaptured by the
British last night. More than fifty
prisoners were taken here and
1ther prisoners and four machine
guns were brought in as a result
IF raiding operations in sectors
south.
The British troops around Ypres
several times after dawn this
sent up S. o. S. signals
or artillery support, says a dis
patch from Reuters Ottawa agency.
rhe correspondent reports a big
German bombardment.
An intense bombardment from
artillery concentration is in prog
'ess from Labassee TO south of
forest and from Vimy u
ems.
Hurricane of Shells.
Last night there was intense and
illuOSl EtdStlt6S uOSlllt dIAlAAEIN y
lctivity in the north. Great con
of howitzer and field
batteries maintained hurricane
over wide sections OF
he allied front.
This morning the bombardmGuts
we're renewed on our line south
# Voormezeele and the French po-
ition in the vicinity of Locre was
,lastered with explosive shrapnel.
Documents recently captured
how that the Germans counted on
developing a regular drive toward
he coast. the time table of which
las altogether gone to pieces. A
'ertain division was due to be at
iont Des Costs last Friday but this
Iivision instead of going forward
moved backward to rest and refit.
Ypres Capture HEn Aim.
With the British Army In
france. April % (By the Associat-
ID Press sl-The fourth German
lrmy heavily attacked the allied
ront in Flanders. Persons cap
ured have admitted that the Ger
nan intention is attempt TO cap
ure Ypres. Severe fighting is re-
ported in both the French and
British areas.
The Belgians on the User front
Ilso are reported to have been at
acked.