New-York tribune., 1918-03-20
Official Statements
West
FRENCH

fARlS. March ~ tDAI Late yesterday
French detachment in the region of Rheims
penetrated the German lines to depth of
one kilometre (about three-ffths Of /; milc) q,
destroyed numerous shelters and brought back
nine prisoners.
After brief artillery preparation the Ger
mans east of Sillery made raid, which was
broken up by French fire. On the right bank
of the Meuse there was violent artillery fight
ing, particularly in the region of Hill 344.
There was no infantry action.
PARIS, Monday. March 1S (Deayed) -
Two enemy raids, one south of Juvincourt,
the other southeast of Corbeny, were re-
pulsed after spirited fighting, in which the
Germans sustained considerable loss. We
took prisoners.
The artillery on hoth sides was rather ac-
tive, particularly in the regions of Samogneux
and Bezonvaux N-erdun 'front.'. well as in
Lorraine. between Bures and Badonviler.
On Sunday three German airplanes were
destroyed and six others were badly damaged
by our pilots A captive balloon was Sc. on
fire by of our avators. Furthermore. it
has been learned that two other German air
planes were brought down on March Is and
IG. Our bombarding squadrons threw down
G.000 Kilograms (6.6 tons) of explosives on
Saturday and 5000 kilograms (5.5 tons) or
sunday on environments. other military estab
lishments and railway stations of the enemy.
BELGIAN
PARIS. March IS (Delayed) At dawn this
morning the enemy made attacks with strong
troops in the regions OF Nieuport. Dixmude
and Merckem. Near Nieuport the Germans
gained footing in some advanced positions
but were partially thrown back. Near Dix
nude. assisted by violent bombardmcnt the
enemy penetrated our advanced posts east OF
Reigersvet and south of Stuyvekenskerke
and Also owing to the use of flame projec-
tors. in part of Il trench on the west bank of
: the User.
In counter attacks during the day we re-
gained possession of all these posts anc
trench elements which had been temporarl!
lost. number of prisoners and machine
guns remained in our hands. A brisk artil
lery fire was directed on our communicati tions
All along the front there was active artil-
icry fighting, gas shells being used in mnny
instances.
BRITISH
LONDON. March 19 (DAY) 49, English
troops carried out successful raids last nigh,
in the neighborhood of Vilers- Guslain, La
Vacquerie and Bois Grcncr. and captured
number of prisoners. The enemy's trenches
east of Neuve Chapellc were raided by Portu
guese troops, who brought back prisoners ant
two machine guns.
During the night the enemy attempted
three raids in the neighborhood of Fleurbai,
and Bois Grenier. but was rcpulsed with loss
in each case There considerable hostile
artillery activity in the forward md back
areas in the Ypres sector
\ good visibility on Sunday enabled ou,
aviators to increase their work in the mir
pt in l.
rest billcts on ali parts of the front and
three of the cnemy's airdromcs were heavily
bombed. n total Of ten and one-half tons OF
| bombs being dropped. Over one Of tho
airdromes attacked fierce encounter took
place. the result of which three hostile
airplancs were destroyed, our own suffering
no losses.
During to-day eighteen German machines
were downed. eight driven down out of con.
troll and an observation balloon destroyed
-Four OF our machines are missing.
Our night flying machines dropped five
tons Of bombs on two hostile airdromes. onf
of which was occupied by large bombing ma.
chines. and also on u big ammunition eumr
northeast OF St Quentin and on billcts in
the ne'ghborhood of Douai and Menin.
GERMAN
BERLIN. March 10 DAY. stormins
visions made successful reconnoissnncee in
Flanders and thereby captured more thar
300 Belgians
From the coast to La Bassec Canal there
was an increase in the intensity Of the arti!.
lcry duel during the evening.
BrandcnburR shock troops. after hare
fighting near Juvincourt. brought back TWEEN
ty prisoners from the French trenches
+ The artillery fro revived Mt times on botl
sides Of Rheims and in the Champagne or
! the northern front of Vcrdun the f,rc in
creased In intensity. We are continuin,
recon noissances. Saxon detachmcnts on tn,
castern bank OF the Mcusc brought in 1fty
six prisoners.