The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1918-04-12
FLANDERS
BATTLE Is RAGING.
Continued from page ID
enemy has gained control OF q single
bit of rising ground"
Thuradsvss Fiuhtinu.

I
Thursdays Fighting.
With The British Army In France,
Thursday, April Undetermined en-
emy attacks continued today against
points OF strategicaI value along the
new battle front north and south OF
Armentieres, from which the British
have withdrawn.
on the extreme right the Germans
were pounding the British defense ct
IGivenchy which has changed hands
numerous tines.
North Of Armentieres the Germans
were showing an equal desire to
possess Messinea ridge and Wytsch-
aete. dominating positions which
changed hands several times yester-
day and last night. The Germans got
a footing in Messines village and
they were there this morning, but
the British were clinging to the west
l ridge and were keeping the enemy
from Wytschaete.
Near Ploegsteert hard fighting was
proceeding late today. South Of
Armentieres the enemy also deliver
ed violent assaults.
The British this morning made q
successful counter attack and forced
ths enemy from Paradis. southwest
Of L,estrem. This Is % the front be-
tween Estaires and GIvenciy.
The withdrawal from Arment1areE
does not mean much from a military
standpoint.
Must Be Viewed A WhoIa.
In order to appreciate fully the
trend OF the present fighting the Of
fensive operations must be viewed as
whole for they go to make up what
undoubtedly is the crucial conflict of
the war. The loss OF city here or
there or the abandonment OF five or
ten miles Of territory in any sector
does not mean disaster.
The battle has got beyond such
considerations and has settled down
to a grim race to determine whether
the German manpower Is enough to
make good the threat to annihilats
the British army and force its capi-
tuiation. It is a cold proposition OF
which side can kill the most men
In the next few weeks and at the
same time find more recruits 20 an
the depleted ranks.
Mists Favor Germans.
The miSts continued 70 favor the
enemy and to hamper the defending
gunners. 1t was partly on account Of
these foEs that the Germans pro-
Rressed as far as they did.
South Of Armentieres the British
yesterday and last night continued
to hold most Of their front sat1Afac-
torilv. The enemy crossed the river
Lave and obtained q footing in
L4estrem, but were quickly forced out.
Last night considerable German
force crossed the river between VieIle
Chappelle and Lestrem and once
more approached Lestrems but again
were thrust back
Throughout the day German avia-
tors did much flying at low heights
and also were active in bombing
work along the battle lines.
"A small force Of the British bicycle
corps did brilliant work FOR a short
time on Tuesday when the Portu-
guesa were forced back and fk was
necessary to reinforce the center Of
the allies battle line below Armen-
there's. This little body Of troops were
thrown in and held on CALAMITY un-
I'll the regular infantry could be
brought up.
There was especially bitter fighting
along the Lys near Croix du Bae,
where the Germans crossed by wad- i
ing As they worked in towards the
river from both flanks the British
held their FIRE and allowed the enemy
to assemble. Once the Germans were
in the river the defenders opened q
terrific fire and there was a huge
pile or bodies in the waterway be-
fore some Of the enemy succeeded tn
getting across.