The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-04-25
GERMANS STORM
U.S.LINESATT0UL
AMERICANS REcAPTURE TOWN
AFTER FURIOUS HAND-To-
HAND FIGHTING.
.ROUT HUNS AT LA BASSE
BRITISH ADVANCE LINES, AND
SIX ALLIED ARMIES AWAIT
THIRD GREAT HUN DRIVE.

With the American Army in France.
April 22-Twelve hundred German
storm troops, the largest number ever
concentrated against the American
troops for an offensive operation.
were hurled against the American po-
sitions on a one-mile front west OF
Renneres forest, northwest of Toul,
Saturday. after terrific lombard
ment of gas and high-explosive shells.
The enemy succeeded In penetrat-
ing the front line trenches and taking
the village of Seicheprey. but after fu-
rious hand-to-hand fighting the Amer
ican troops recaptured the village and
most of the ground lost in the early
fighting and completely routed the
Germans on Sunday.
No Americans were taken prisoner.
but three Germans were captured.
German airplanes. flying at low
altitude. attempted to disorganize the
American fighting mon. but two en-
emy aviators were brought down and
the others driven off.
The Germans suffered heavy cas-
ualties and the American lines re-
mained intact after Sundays attack.
which evidently was intended to sep
arate Americans and French.
London. April 22.-The British
troops near Robecq. northwest OF
Bethune, drove out the Germans
from some of their advanced posi-
tions. according to Field Marshal
Haig's statement. Aside from artillery
engagements there was little other &C.
tivity along the front Sunday.
Field Marshal Haig found himself
able to take the aggressive on Friday
night and carry out an operation
which deprived the Germans of even
such small gains as they had been
forced to content themselves with
when Thursdays battle was over. BY
this intensive British action the line
as It stood before Thursdays German
attack was completely restored.
The British apparently are expecting
some new move by the enemy in the
Arras region. and Friday night Brityh
detnchments advanced In a big raid
ing operation on front of nearly a
mile south of the Scarpe. near Beau
rains. taking prisoners and capturing
machine guns.
There was no fighting Of great i'm
portance on the British front Satur-
day. according to Field Marshal Haig's
report. The operations were largely
confined to small affairs carried out
by the British, who succeeded In i'm
proving their line a little.
Against this blow the armies Of six
nations are standing together in the
Battle area-British. French, Ameri-
can, Belgian, Italian and Portuguese
divisions-ready not only to repulse
the inevitable attack. but to strike
back when the proper moment comes.
Apparently the allies have thrown in
only enough of their reserves to hold
the Germans, conserving their
strength as far as possible. 1t has been
noted however. that when the neces-
sity of holding became imperative, the
holding power was there.
The blow aimed by the French at
the very apex Of the German lines in
Picardy, in front Of Amiens. apparent
ly has not been followed up.
The British destroyed bridges
thrown across the La Bassee canal by
the enemy. They hold the entire
waterway in addition to having re-
established their line west OF Robecq.
Enemy attacks on the British lines
in the northern part Of the Lys battle
area south of KENNEL were success
fully repulsed.
The city of Rheims. which was set
on fire several days ago by vicious
German bombardment, is now nothing
but heap OF smoking ruins. accord
ing to Paris press accounts.
From Givenchy to St. Venant. an
side of the salient, German troops
| were hurled in masses on the British
positions In an effort to break through
to the southwest behind Bethune and
compel the British to fall. back from
Givenchy and along the front south
ward toward vimy ridge and Arras.
The defensive line held firm despite
repeated desperate assaults which
cost the Germans enormous losses.
and Thursday night the battle had
died down to an artillery duel. Cor
respondents at the front declare the
British front is now more secure
than 1t has been for days.