Republican farmer., 1918-05-03
FIRST TANK BATTLE
IN HISTORY IS WON
BY CARS OF BRITISH
BULLDOG GRIP OF ENGLISH AT YPRES
REMAINS MISTAKEN DESPITE FURI-
GUS ONSLAUGHTS OF HUNS WHOSE
LOSS is REPORTED APPALLING.


sanze in any the Allied resistance in the Ypres region
The line in fact has been sfened since this isolated height
taken by the Germans and the enemy after day Of des
perae struggle yesterday found himself held fast everywhere
Locre west of Mount KENNEL, and Voormezele two miles
south of Ypres the chief points under attack by the Ger
in their effort to develop their of the pev
day At EACH although the fighting flucuaed during the
day. the failed to gain his obectve and today far
Their advanced toward them than he yesterday morning
The French fought with great galanry in the Locr sector
nfcng severe losses the enemy in his four attacks the
last of which carried him into the village Last evening the
French counter attacked vigorously and reganed the place
BRITISH STILL HOLD RIDGE
The British were no less stubborn
mezee at which point they obliged to hold fast the
ne curvng to the east and north around Ypres not to be
abandoned Today found them still possession of the village
and holding the ridge southwest of the Several
hundred prisoners taken by the British in this fighting
There quite general disposition the part of the
military observers forecast the eventual abandonment
the Ypres salient result of the fall of Mount KENNEL 1t
has been pointed out by the British office that this result
will not necessarily follow is likewise observed however
that should evacuation of pres become necessary the TAX
ing Mount KENNEL has not destroyed the defensive value Of
the Of hills the west from which stood out and which
have been referred the backbone of the Flanders position
Meanwhile the cost in the Germans in the progress they
have made without winning than tactical advantage has
been enormous
sOMME SITUATION FAVORABLE
On the Somme battle front the situation has worked still
avoaby for the Allies The recapue of Vers Breton
and its dominating high ground by the British has made
the German tenure of Hangard to the SOUTH extremely
and they already have lost part of the village London
further advancement of the Allied line last night
sector An attack by German tanks broken by the Brit
h fire More than 900 prisoners taken by the British in
the fighting here.
The fall of Mount KENNEL is serious blow to the security
the salient about Ypres but to gain complete victory there
the Germans must strike quickly. This they trying to
do while the Allied troops resist srenuously While Kennels
capture by the does not the immediate evacuation
of Ypes military observers say does the British po
siton there and further retirement in the next few days
is not unlikely.
Southwest Ypres the Germans now are on line run
of to
and eastward to the Ypres- Confines canal.
BERLIN CLAIMS OCCUPATION
Field Marshal Hag admits retirement along the canal
and Berlin claims the occupation of ST. Eo two and hall
miles south of Ypes Berlin also says that the prisoners in
the present Flanders battle have increased to $500.
KENNEL hill did not fall without struggle and it remains
monument to the bravery of French regiment which,
off from the Allied ne held until surrounded all sides
by the Germans The ultimate fate of the French defenders
fighting tremendous odds is not known to the Allies Franco
British troops attempted strong counter attacks TO reake the
HILL but driven back by the Germans who using
divisions front of about eight miles,
The German attack in the north unless it gather mucf
greater momentum does not yet threaten the Belgian line from
Dxmude to the although it does affect the British abou
Ypre The must advance still farther before the Bel
gans will be compelled give the historic line of the User
which they have held for many months.
Successes gained by Allied troops in counter strok
south of the Somme from Vers Bretonneux south Han
gard The Germans driven back all along the line
most furious fighting ragged Hangard the western quartz
of which held by the French South of the Luce tn
French also gained positions and the fighting still goe
RIVAL TANKS COME TO GRIPS
This aided greatly by the fact that the BIRTHS
had recapured Vler Bretonneux Thursday. The fight
ing in and around Vlers Bretonneux the of batl
the of 1870, will be notable for things. Brit
h and German tanks met for the first time and the German
worsed, while British infantry wearing gas masks
probably the first time attack retook the village
who had hurriedy donned gas masks
attack of gas shells
Gen. Radcliffe, director of military operations at the Bri
ish office anticipates enemy offensive bigger
than yet attempted great effort break the junction of til
British and the French armies. He thinks this will fall
line from the Arras to the Somme Fighting will contnu
through the and power reserve will bring VII
tory Gen. Foch, according to Gen. Radcliffe still has the A
lied reserve almost intact.
The London office statement follows:
GREAT ARTILLERY ACTIVITY
"There great artillery activity both sides durir
the night the whole battle front north of the Ly river TT
fighting in this yesterday very severe the
determined attempts the