Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-04-27
Allies Counter-Attack to Regain Possession
OF Mont KENNEL and Neighboring Ground
Captured by Huns in Thursdays Struggle
ICY .e>stsa JOURNAL sprcr., lt.srD ,nssI

ICY hc<kihe JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED tgEEl
|, With the British Armies in France.
April % tby the Associated Press) -
The allied armies today were taking
the initiative on both the northern
ad southern ends of the battle front
This morning the British and French
troops, acting in conjunction, began
counter-operations in the region of
Mont KENNEL and the neighborinE
territory which the Germans captured
in yesterdays sanguinary struggle.
The aggressors at the time of the
Wiling of this dispatch had made some
progress but they were battling in the
face of great odds and heavy fighting
WAS continuing with the enemy hold
ing the advantageous high ground in
strength.
South of the Somme the allied
forces launched a combined drive
against the German positions between
Hangard and the southern outskirts
kof Villers- -BretonneuX. The latest re,
hports recorded some progress. but an
intense conflict was in progress and
1.-THE situation was nebulous.
Yesterday Villers- Bretonneux had
been cleared of the enemy, who over
ran it Wednesday, and the British, by
brilliant counter-attacks, had retaken
virtually all their original positions.
The main interest from the military
point of view today centered in the
northern contest, where the Germans
| have been making such determined
efforts to gain control of the chain Of
! hills, of which KENNEL is one and
! thereby threaten the allied positions
| to the north.
| This morning found the Germans
holding the salient which they had
driven into the French and British
lines beyond Mont KENNEL KENNEL
village, Dranoutre and farms and
! hamlets in the immediate vicinity A
gallant regiment of poilus had been
hordered to hold KENNEL hill at all
rosts After the Germans had broken
Through the defending lines and were
encircling the elevation, the French
! clung to their position and obeyed the
commands to the letter. They battled
| to the bitter end and overwhelming
forces of the enemy were able to gain
the crest only over the bodies of these
| gallant defenders. No more dramatic
and inspiring stand has been made in
recent days than this.
The allied counter-attack began at
an early hour this morning. While
the French infantry drove forward
against KENNEL from the west, their
British comrades began operations on
their left. In the first rush the sturdy
British Tommies forced their way
forward in the face of a heavy fire
and got into KENNEL village. 1t was
striking exhibition of bravery that
took the men in khaki across the open
ground that was being swept with
machine gun fire.
For two hours they held the village
while Germans from the neighborins
hill poured bullets into the place from
rapid firers At 5 o'clock it became
apparent that it would be useless
sacrifice of life to remain longer and
| the British were withdrawn TO safer
ground from which the assault con-
tinued.
The French were reported to have
made some progress but they, too,
were coming under a grilling fire
from Mont KENNEL and other points.
1t was obvious that ii would be ex-
tremely difficult to oust the Germans
| from this commanding position, which
they held with large numbers of
heavily armed men.
Thei, Fate Us ITnIunvvr1
L ! How long the French regiment was