American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-05-07
ALLIES GAINING GROUND
IN THE YPRES SECTOR
Australians and Canadians Take Lead
ing Part-Americans With the
French Near MOntdiddier. South of
Aimens.

Australian and Canadian troops are
in action on the British lines along
the vital sectors of the battle front in
France. The Australians Monday
struck the Germans near Morlancourt
between the Ancre and Somme rivers.
east of Amiens and have advanced
their lines upward of three-quarters
Of mile, as result of two assaults
on the Teutonic positions
The Canadians have appeared in the
Arras sector, further south than they
have since the battles in this region
began March 21. This part of the
line is most important as it defends
Arras to the southwest and includes
localities such as Neuville-Vitasse,
Mercatel and Boisleaux-St. Marie.
where there have been bitter struggles
since the Germans launched their
great offensive.
From the official reports and special
dispatches filed by correspondents at
the front there come intimations that
heavy fighting may be resumed at any
time. The fact that heavy rains are
falling may have a great deal to do
with the delay in the German drive.
but the allies hold high ground from
which they can observe the German
positions which are generally in the
lowlands, and have kept up a heavy
artillery fire in sectors where the Ger
mans have been assembling or have
been at work in bringing up guns for
the battle which is virtually certain
to come.
In preparation for further enemy
attacks on the Flanders battlefield,
the British and French have been i'm
proving their positions in local op-
erations. The allied troops in an at
tack between Locre and Drancourt
have advanced their line 500 yards
on a front of 1000 yards. gaining posi-
tiOns which strengthen the important
section of the front between Scher-
penberg and Mont Rouge German
counter attacks were repulsed with
loss. Berlin, reporting on the same
fighting, attempts to make out the at
tacks were made in large force. 1t
says they were repulsed and that the
French lost 300 prisoners.
On the southern leg of the Lys sal
lent. which is the one the Germans
must attack if they wish to connect
this battlefield with the one in Picar-
| dy by wiping out the Arras salient.
the Germans have made no further
attempts to push back the British
from their gains at Hinges. earlier eff
forts having failed. The artillery fire
continues most intense on both legs of
the Lys salient and south of the
SCmme, in Picardy.
Further safeguarding of the south
ern side of the Lys salient was effect
ed by the British Sunday night
through a local operation, which re-
suited in the improvement of the Brit
ish position near LOGON, north of Be
thunc.
Expect Attack Any Time.
There is a feeling along the French
front that the Germans may attack in
the Ypres, Arras and Amiens sectors
al the same time. These blows, while
carried on independently. would really
b" phases of a new attempt to cut
through the lines in the SOmme sector
eliminate the Arras sector and carry
the high ground to the southwest of
Ypres.
II has been pointed out by observers
that an attack on the Arras sector
either on the apex between Arras and
Lens or on the sides of the allied lines
as they stretch back from those cities
must come before the Germans can
hope to carry their advance in either
Flanders or Picardy much further. II
is reported that heavy forces are be-
ing assembled before Arras for the
expected attack.
Yankees Under Storm OF Shells.
American troops on the French
front, not far from Montdidier. have
been under a storm of shells for the
last couple of days. projectiles con-
tanning high explosives being mingled
with those charged with poisonous
gas, fired into the lines held by Gen
eral Pershing's men.