The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-04-18
HUNS TAKE THREE
TOWNS AND MOST
OF MESS|NES RIDGE
Germans Use Three Fresh Dr.
visions Against Haig.
GAIN AFTER FIERCE FIGHT
British Fall Back From Wytschaete,
Spanbroekmolen and 5ailIeul--
English Still Fighting Desper-
ately on Slopes of Ridge.


London. April 17.-Field Marshal
Hmg, in his official report, announces
the occupation by the Germans of both
WytSchaete and Spanbroekmolen.
The war office announced that the
Germans have captured Bailleul on the
northern battle front, following a fierce
battle. in which the enemy made use
of three divisions of picked men VINO
had not previously engaged in the bat
tie.
The British have fallen back to new
POSITIONS north of Bailleul and Wul-
verghem.
Fresh German attacks were then re-
ported developing in the neighborhood
of Wytscbaete.
A German attack southwest of
Vieux BerQuin was repuhed.
Part Of Messines Ridge Lost.
Ottawa, April 17.-German troops
have carried Wytschaete and the great
or part Of Messines ridge, according TO
dispatch from the Reuter- correspond
ent at lTiilsh headquarters in France,
received mere.
The enemy also has established him
self In Spanbrokmolen The British
are still clinging to the slopes Of Mes
Sines ridge, battling desperately to re-
pei the attacks made upon them by
overwhelming German forces.
Huns Win by Surprise Attack.
Berlin, April 17.-The official com
municatiOn from general headquarters
says German attacks on the Lys bat
tleheld met with complete success.
The great mine craters Of the
Wytschaete battle of 1917 were taken
by surprise attack.
After brief bombardment the Ger
mans stormed WuIverghem in a sur
prise attack, also the British positions
on both sides Of the village
British counterattacks failed com
pletely, says the report.
German troops scaled the heights be-
tween Nerve Chapelie and Bailleul and
captured them in a vigorous hand-to-
hand fight
Germans Use Up Fresh Troops.
The statement reads:
''In the evening, preceded by an
Intense bombardment. the enemy
launched very heavy attacks against
our positions between Ballleul and
Neuve Eglise. The assault was deliv-
cred by three picked German divisions
which had been previously engaged
| In the battle and II succeeded after n
fierce ana bitter struggle I'm carrying
the high ground southeast and east of
Bailleul known as Mount de Lille and
Reyetsberg. Our troops on this point
have fallen back 10 new positions to
CHEM. Ballleul has fallen into the en-
emys hands.
Repulse Hun Attacks.
"Severe fighting has been taking
place on the front from Meteren to
Wytschaete. At dawn the enemy re-
neWed his attacks In strength in the
neighborhood Of Wytschaete ana
Spanbrockmolen.
HuppoTlcu ny utbNF uOlnDUTulneUl,
his troops approached our positions
under cover of the mist, and after n
prolonged struggle gained possession
of both localities"
In the morning fresh German Mt
tacks developed in the neighborhood
or Wyschaeter.
EARLY In the morning the enemy
also attacked southwest Of Vieux
Rerquin under heavy artillery and
trench mortar fire, but was re-
pulsed.
"A number Of prisoners were
taken by us during the night in a sue
cessful minor enterprise southeast Of
RoheCq.
con the remainder of the British
front there was nothing Of special in
tcr9st 10 report
French Take Prisoners.
Paris April l7.-lIeayy artillery
fighting occurred at night on the main
battle front In the neighhorhood Of
Monidldler. the war office announces.
Tho French captured Il machine gun
and prisoners near the Disc canal