Evening star., 1918-04-26

villers-Bretonneux apparently has been
retaken as q result of a brilliant Brit
ish counter attack. and not only has the
town been virtually cleared OF the en-
emy, but large portion OF the orlginai
positions north and south OF II nave
heaped. about the unhappy town and
some seven hundred prisoners are in
British camps.
In the north Mont KENNEL has been
of German troops especially trained
for mountain warfare. The attempt on
Mont KENNEL is another move in the
Germans obvious scheme to get con-
troll of chain of hills running east to
west in this sector and including such
elevations as wytschaste. KENNEL,
Scherpenberg. Mont Rouge. Vidaigne
and Mont Descats. This pretentious
program has as its object the forcing
of the allies to pull back their lines to
the north still farther.
Germans Attack in Force.
The northern attack this morning
was along front extending from
Wytschaete nearly to BailIeu1)a and 1t
was carried out by at least four and
perhaps six. German divisions. The in
fantry employed were largely picked
hill troops including the Alpine Corps,
the 117th Division and the 11th Ba-
varians. with Jaegers in reserve.
The brunt Of the assault came against
the French who were defending Kem-
mel. the enemy's goal. At O'Clock
opened a heavy bombardment on KEN
mel and the surrounding country with
gas shells and for more than an hour
maintained a deluge Of these poison
bearing missiles. Between 8 and 4
forward and attacked the position
protecting KENNEL hill. At the same
time they began pushing farther to the
south In order to furnish a protecting
tank for the main operation.
Hard fighting developed Immediately.
The Germans pushed on up the slopes,
and 1t Is reported that at one time
some of the detachments even made
their way to the crest of the hill, but
this afternoon 1t was announced that
1t was still in possession of the allies. Il
Fight at villers-Bretonneux
The story from villers-Bretonneux
was most cheerful. To recapitulate:
The Germans began their attack on
lViilers-Bretonneux about 6 o'clock yes
terday morning, after a heavy bonn
bardment, including great quantities
Of gas Shells which forced the British
to pull out of parts Of the town and
hold it lightly. At that hour heavy
mists were hanging over the whole re-
gion. and under cover Of this the Ger
and heavy armored tanks.
simultaneously with their attack at
llers-Bretonneux the Germans also
began operations to the south against
the French and north of the River
Somme. At Sailly-Le-Sec and Vaire sew
eral attacks were repulsed during the
early hours. The first drive against
Villers-Bretonneux was made with two
divisions and this was thrown back.
The Germans Immediately put two
fresh divisions into line and again
surged forward. Five tanks were sent
to the north through the valley leading
through the southern part Of the town
and three engines were followed by
large forces Of infantry.
By noon the Germans had swung a
yards deep about Villers-Bretonneux
and were holding the town strongly.
This they continued to do until 10
Eclock last night, when tho British
delivered a surprise counter attack
! There should have been q moon to as
| sist the British, but the sky was heav-
! lily overcast and dense mist hung over
! the region.
| According to prisoners the enemy
| had no expectation of further trouble
| from the British last night and were
sitting snugly in their new position
when the storm broke. The German
| artillery had perhaps been lulled into
false security and was doing little
shelling.
At the appointed hour the British
gunners put down sharp barrage and
the British infantry drove forward. The
attack was made from the southwest
xConttnusd On H1ooud-PaSesl
r. 81 hf-l