The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-04-12
Haig's Men. Fighting Des.
pcHtcly, Still Hold Out .
on Messines Ridge.
MANY COUNTER DRIVES
Arnlentieres. Estaires and
Steenwerck Given Up to
the Germans.
LITTLE FIGHTING SOUTH
Berlin Asserts Captives in New
Field Reach 10000, Includ-
ing Portuguese General.
LITTLE FIGHTING SOUTH

LoNpoN. April 1.-THE heaviest
lighting is in progress tonight on the
northern end Of the battle front against
the British sector and the struggle
here promises to develop into tho
great battle Of the war. 1t has passed
into the stage OF a major operation
and was more intense to-day than at
any time since the first onslaught on
March 81, three weeks ago
In the fighting to-day. which was
practically limited TO this northern
sector Of about thirty miles south from
Ypres. the Germans pushed hack the
British line at a number OF PLACES at
some Of them as much as six miles
Armenteres was given up by the
British because the Germans had
driven sharp sa,ients on both sides OF
it and it was no longer tenable.
Rritish Withdraw to North.
Haig's men retired about five miles
to Steenwerck. to the west. but late in
the day they were forced to give up
this place also. withdra wing slightly to
the north, Field Marshal Haig reports
tonight.
Estaires. on the lays. where the
struggle has reached its maximum in
tensity in the last three days. also
was given up by the British. Terrific
hshtinR was in progress In this sector
at nishtfah ard also in the Messines-
W!tsrhae,e district. Just south Of
Ypres.
Reuters correspondent at British
Headquarters in France wires
"There IL q general disposition to
consider the situation in Flanders 40
pretty we'll in hand. and although
lighting is continuing on a heavy scale
the outlook is viewed with confidence"
Not all the advantage. however was
on the side OF the Germans. Every foo,
OF ground that they won was paid for
az an enormous price in German lives
and several small sections which they
had bought and paid for in the same
way a dsy Or two ago were won back
DI the British at small cost
At the close Of the dav OF perhaps tho
hardest fighting OF the war the British
sti!l held Messines Ridge. which tn.
Germans have stormed repeatedly and
at times reported they had taken: W.T..
schaete. where the fighting was intense
beyond precedent: iestrem. Ploegsteert
and the nearby wood Of the same name
and Hollebehe. the capture of which ,ap-
parently yesterday Is reported by Ber-
lin.
l.ittlr Fighting in south.
la Snort the British stll have a firm
Grip on all the points of strategic value.
practically all the high ground, which in
this fat country dominates enormous
stretches IN the vicinity
Pending an outcome Of this Iremen.
dous struggle iu the north. fighting m
tie sector oa~ Of Amens aud in the
region south Of the Oisc. toward Paris,
has almost ceased. Berlin report. ,be
capture OF ilollchrk- and Niessiues
Ridge ,yes.erdaNJ and asserts that the
British a'e using large numbers uf
fresA.\ brought up troops IN 4, vain er-
fort 20 stem the Gei man ath auce. The
number of prisoners taken so far II
asserts, has risen to 10000 Among
them is q Portuguese General
Gen. lialg Tonight reports that dur
ing the DAY fresh divisions OF the Ger
mans delivered heavy aud continuous
attacks alouS the whole River. Law.
region between Loi.ne aud lestrcm.
Fighting of the heaviest hind continues
tonight between La Bassee Canal and
the Ipses-comiues canal.
Vigorous Counter Attacks Win.
The Associated Pless correspondeu.
with tho British army in France says
the fghtin2 WAS continuing this morning
north of Armeutieres, with the British
still holding Messin-s Ridge and wy
schaeta. which yesterday changed naids
several times.
During the day the enemy succeanel
In entering not only these positions but
La Creche. 'N.eppe and Iiollebeke. Wig
orous counter attacks forced the enemy
from all these places.
The Germans this morning We're n
possession OF about half Of the village Of
Ploe9steert and PloeEsteert Wood, Just
TO the north o. Armentieres.
The heavy enemy attacks north and
south of .>rmeutieres yesterday resulted
IN the advance OF the German position"
until the town was in a deep and narrow
pocket, the mouth Of which was on 4
line drawn approximately north and
south through Steenwerck.
Attack Made In Fog.
The Germans attacked north Of Ar
mentiercs at $50 O'Clock Yesterday
morning after two hours OF intense
bomba rdment They advanced under
cover of heavy fog. and the opposing
forces We're at close quarters before
fighting was begun, The attacks We're
pressed as far north as IIollebeke. where
the enemy made sliGht gains
The Germans are particularly d.
cir 90 r,tu