Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-17
Report British Retake
Wytschaete Driving
On Bailleul.
BULLETIN

DOALL kAN-
London, April 1.-THE
greater part of Wyt-
schaete and probably all
of it, is in the hands of the
British, Major General F.
B. Maurice, chief director
of military operations at
the war Office, announced
today.
Counter attacking sue
cessfully at Meteren and
south of that place, the
British have driven back
the Germans half way to
Bailleul. They have ad-
vanced and improved
their lines in the direction
of Neuve Englise.
London, April 1.-The
British positions before
Ypres have been with
drawn to d new line.
London, April 17.-Ac-
cording to an Exchange
Telegraph dispatch from
Paris the Germans have
advanced from Wyt-
schaete as far as St. Eloi
and also have a grip on the
southern slopes of Mount
KENNEL.
The British have recaptured Me-
teren, on the northern battle front,
by counter attack, it is announced
officially.
The British made a successful
counter attack in the neighborhood
of Wytschaete. Repeated German
attacks north of Bailleul were re-
pulsed, the Germans suffering
heavy losses.
South of Arras the Germans were
driven out of British trenches into
which they had forced their way.
Early this morning the German ar
tillery became more active south OF
the Somme.
Retake Wytschaete?
With the British Forces in
France, April II, 10 a. m, (By the
Associated Press) 1t was report
ed the British fighting magnificent
ly had regained Wytschaete, al
though it had not been confirmed
officially.
AT any rate. the desperate efforts
by great forces of the enemy yes
terday afternoon and last night 70
exploit his success about Bailleul
and Wytschaete met with a costly
failure.
Time after time the enemy forces
flung themselves against the de-
tenders in large bodies but on each
occasion the British held their own
and threw the onrushing Germans
back with huge losses.
(By Associated Press.)
With the Ypres salient in south
western Belgium menaced by the
continued advance of the Germans
on the Lys battlefield Immediately
to the south, the British have be-
gun TO withdraw from this advanc-
ed line.
Withdraw Before Ypres.
Today's official report from Field
Marshal Haig's headquarters an
nounces what is at least a partial
withdrawal from the Ypres sector.
The British forward positions east
of Ypres have been given up and a
new line to the west occupied. The
withdrawal was carried out in per-
feet order without any enemy inter
ference. Apparently the retrogra-
dation movement is pivoting in the
Wytschaete sector which London
reports as the scene of a successful
counter attack on the Germans.
This may be an indication that
the British retirement is TO the line
of the spring Of 1917. although such
a withdrawal would include the
Abandonment OF the entire Pass
chendaele position as well as the
Messines ridge are, from the great
er part OF which they have been
driven in the present battle. 1t
would leave the town OF Ipres.
however, still in British hands.
Close 10 Mount KENNEL.
The Germans are still hammer
ing the British line north OF Bail
leul. while to the northeast they
are reported 10 be close 10 Mount
Kemme. the towering height which
dominates the situation in this sec
tor.
Situation Serious.
The situation. il is admitted. is
more serious than at any time
since the German drive In the north
began. Some British newspapers
already advise the evacuation Of the
hard won sector of Ypres and the
Passchendaele ridge which Is
OF the Mesainas rldaa