The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-15
SURPRISE BLOW
GAINS 5 MILES
IN FLANDERS
New Drive by Marshal FOch
Wins ROulers and Other
Strategic Points.
ADVANCING ON THE LYS
GCurtrai Reported Flanked-
French Press On Beyond
Laon-Cross Ailette.
ADVANCING ON THE LYS

LONDON, OCT. IL. - Marshal Foch
launched a surprise drive against the
Germans to-day. this time on a front
Of thirty-two miles in Flanders. The
result OF the first days operations
was gain of five miles. the cap
ture Of Roulers, with several stra-
tegic points and villages, and thou
sands Of prisoners. The allied leaders
purpose apparently is to break the
grip Of the enemy in western Belgium
and at tie same time to destroy the
railroad which has been used as a
means Of supply to the Germans in
northern France.
In their initial thrust, which was
launched without the usual heavy ar
tillery bombardment. the British.
French and Belgian soldiers fianked
Courtrai, the junction point Of the rail-
road to Ghent. Courtrai. with the SOL
diers Of the Allies on each side Of 1t,
is in momentary danger OF being cut
on when the drive is resumed. The
battle continues tonight.
FF1nohero Suptufeus
The Belgians alone captured 5000
prisoners in the days operations while
the British and French added thou
sands more to their cages In the rear.
Belgian forces cooperating with the
British and French in these operations
captured several batteries OF artillery
and many prisoners. The allied forces
pushed north until they were within
range Of the German big guns on the
coast. bnt there was no fire from these.
which confirmed earlier. reports that
the Germans had taken these guns
AWAY. There was a persistent rumor
among the soldiers that British war
ships had entered the harbor at Os-
tend and that they had bombarded the
German gun positions there and to the
east.
British Nearing Courtrai.
Counter attacks by picked Bavarian
troops were repulsed by the British.
French and Belgians. In addition to the
thousand Of prisoners taken the Ger
mans suffered extremely heavy casual
ties. According to the latest dispatches
from the front the British broke through
the enemy defences and are on their
way along the Lys
The Belgians have captured Hage-
broke and have several thousand pris-
oners in their cages. Denaap, Botch-
molen. Gulleghen. Wervicq and Wulvel-
CHEM and other villages have fallen to
the British. who are nearing Menin, if
not already there. In addition to their
prisoners the British troops captured
eleven big guns and great quantities of
war materials
French Well Beyond Laon.
In the Laon neighborhood the French,
after liberating that city, continue
TO push northward, freeing villages as
they go. Everywhere In this Vicinity
the Germans are retreating and there
Is evidence that their retrograde move
ment has been under way for several
days, perhaps weeks. The country is
stripped clean OF everything OF value.
so far the French have not found
signs of confusion IN the enemy retire
ment from the Laon and La Fere re-
gions.
Tho French to-day reached Sissone.
marking an advance of seven miles for
the day to the northeast.
On the extreme eastern end of the
battle line, where the Americans are
fghting, stiff resistance Is being en-
countered from the Germans. who ap-
parently are determined TO halt the great
threat against their positions there.
Realizing as they 40 that an advance
up the Meuse valley would cut of their
lateral lines OF communication and Sc
riously hamper, II not defeat their ef-
forts to get their forces out OF France
and Belgium. the Germans are send
Ing in reenforcements against the Amer
leans, Counter attacks have become
matters OF almost hourly occurrence.
The Americans are holding their own.
however. waiting for the Germans to
wear out the first fury OF their re-
sistance before continuing their thrust
on a big scale.
Widespread Retreat Continues.
In Champagne, where Gen. Mangin's
left Is operating. the French are entirely
across the Ailette and in many places
they have crossed the Aisne, despite the
destruction Of bridges by the retreating
Germans and a somewhat stffened re-
sistance all along the line.
Here. as further east. against the
Americans. the enemy has succeeded In
placing some artillery batteries. and these
Hoafjnisd m Third poo.