Evening star., 1918-05-21


Severe fighting occurred well east
Of the battle line, where our bombing
machines were attacked by large hos
tile formations. Three German bal
their airplanss were destroyed and
three were driven down out Of con-
troll. Twelve of ours are missing.
Bombing operations were carried
out vigorously after dark by both
sides. Our machines dropped fifteen
and Marcoing railway stations. the
st. Denis-Westrem airdrome also was
bomharded. as we'll as enemy estab-
lishments at Braye and Bapaume. A
brought down behind our lines by
gunfire.
ION May 20 we dropped q ton of
bombs on the gas works, barracks
and station at Landau, northwest of
Karlsruhe. The railway was hit sew
our machines returned"
Penetrate German Line.
PARIS. May 7o.-Active artillery
fighting near Hangard. on the front
before Amiens. Is reported in today's
official statement. Northwest of
trated to the third German line. TAX
ing prisoners.
Where French Gained.
By the Associated Press.
WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE, May 20.-Just to the north
east of Locre is pile of brick dust
which represents all that is left of the
pretty hamlet of Bruloose. over which
the contending troops fought such
sanguinary engagements in recent
days. Slightly to the west of the
point of attack is Locre Hospice,
which has changed hands many times,
until finally the French got a firm
enough hold on it to be able to claim
1t as their own.
ground just captured all go to form
the gateway which thus far has
blocked the enemy's approach to
Mount Rouge and other important
eminences that In turn are the guard
ing sentinels for wide reaches of the
uninvaded portions of Flanders.
Success Is Important.
Details of the latest French sue
cess are lacking at the moment, but
while 1t was a comparatively small
operation. it was important. This I'M
&oA S64aSS 10 0SSChGootSo ny lA0 1dCt
that the victory comes at a time
ready and waiting for the signal to
renew his huge offensive against the
allies.
Brilliant work was done Sunday by
the Australians on the southern
frpnt whereby they captured VILE
sur-Ancre, and advanced thereby on a
front of approximately 5000 yards.
ThA hn1direy he
new positions strongly Monday. and
more than 400 prisoners were sent
back to the cages. Again the Aus
tralians have evidenced in the face
of great obstacles that indomitable
spirit which has won for them in
such hard struggles in the past.
These same men, who made such
= glorious record in the battle at
the Broodseinde crossroads last sum-
mer behind the same officers; who
carried through the colors at Brood
ssinde. stormed their way into Vile
marshes into whose foul waters they
sank waist deep at times.
j; Attack Early in Morning.
The attack began at 2 o'clock in
the morning. while the mists were
still hanging over the sluggish waters
tracts on either side. At that sSg hour
the Australians surged forward
against the spur of high ground west
of Morlancourt and by a lightning
stroke wrenched this elevation from
fas then pro s tals aos Tss the asv Brt
the ruins Of Vile Sur Ancre. which
lies in the valley of the river from
which 1t takes its name.
After driving this entering wedge
- AZ
hamlet from the south and north.
In the region Of Morlancourt the
ground was not SO bad, but farther
north 1t was vile.
The men sank to their knees in
the n..a s%y .na sinsnE n1., mud 1S.x as they
sheets Of water through which they
had to wade up TO their hips. while
their feet were clutched by the
morass beneath. They were protect
ed. In part by q creeping barrage
hind this screen Of breaking steel
they worked forward determinedly.
| Do Not Hesitate Under Fire.
Just northeast of Morlancourt is q
hill which the Germans had manned
heavily with machine guns. and from
this elevation the enemy pumped .
steady stream of bullets across the
mist-shrounded marshlands In an at
tempt to stem the onrushing Aus
tralians. 1t was desperate work, but
there was no hesitation on the part
Of the assaulting troops.
The Australians rushed the defense
In the face OF q heavy IRE and bomb
ed the Germans out at close quarters,
standing on the bank of a road and
hurting scores Of explosives down
amonG the STRUGGLING masses of 1rav
coats.
Tho lighting in the village of Vile
Sur Ancre was intense. The Aus
trsiians battered their way forward
By sheer force. engaging the enemy
at close quarters with rifles and
them and the Australians kept on
until they had stormed their way to
the further side. The streets were
otreWn with enemy dead when the
victory had been completed and q
stream Of prisoners was flowing back
- the rear.
h oer1dng Contrasts In Fighting.
!. Two incidents during the lighting
Bhsw striking contrasts that need no
explanation.
One general surrendered to an Aus
tFaiisa corporal; then when the cor
SorA1 had lowered his rife the Ger
msn shot him dead This German
met the quick and painless fate
Laish Y meted out to his ilk on the
Another German. who had made a
particularly gallant night with his
1haehins gun. also surrendered. He
aed Fought - the Australians like to
Bee q man Aght- When 1t was seen
thes he wore on his breast the iron