Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-06
FIERCE FIGHTING RACES ON PCARDy Line
HEAVY FORCES ARE
SENT AGAINST ALLIES
London, April 6.-Unoficial advices from the
Picardy battle front this afternoon dwelt upon the
ferocity of the fighting north of the Somme river,

afternoon dWelt upon the
orth of the Somme river,
where the Germans con-
tinue to attack in force.
In the Albert sector and
the Ancre river valley the Germans
are trying to drive forward to the
Amiens railway At dawn heavy
forces Of German troops attacks the
British defenses al a point eight
miles east of Amiens.
Furious fighting has continued and
the Germans are sustaining enorm'
Gus losses from the British artillery
and machine-gun fire.
The storming columns We're shatter-
.et
Divert Their Assault.
London, April Temporarily ceas-
ing their attacks at the apex OF their
salient. the Germans concentrated
their greatest pressure at points to the
north and south, according to advices
received from the front today
The fighting continues With unabat.
/ ed fury and while the Germans have
made a few trifling gains, the sue
cesses have been made at such cost as
TO render them negligible.
Field Marshal Haig reported on
Friday night that the Germans had
begun to attack southwest Of Albert,
which upheld the prediction that they
would attempt a "pincor movement
against Amiens by striking against
{ this base city from the northeast and
the southeast. y (. as.-s& IA.
The Germans already we're assault
! ing the French lines southeast OF
Amiens in an attempt to cut the
Amiens-Clermont railway, but we're re
pulsed in both zones OF fighting.
Since dawn on Friday morning the
Nf'I idliS ldNt Dtti NNlistl ms hVoNs
attacks north and south of Dornacourt,
southwest of Albert, and In the region
of Moyanville," the war Office stated
AT DornacOurt and southwest of Al
bert they succeeded in getting foot
ing in some advanced lines. In the
Albert sector the British front was
quickly restored by counter-attack.
In the district of Mesni there has
been some infantry fighting, but the
enemy gained no advantage. The Br-
t'sh line were heavily sheled in the
Beaumont-Bamel sector. 'rhe British
attacked in the region OF Gommacour
and captured 100 prisoners"
On the French section of the front
the Germans were fought to n com.
! plete standstil and were unable to re-
new the battle in the zone north OF
! Montdidier which was the scene Of
such bloody fighting on the previous
day
French troops, by means OF vigor-
Gus counter.attacks, have succeeded
in improving their positions at a
number of, points" said the com
munique issued by the French war
Office Friday night
In the regions OF Maily-Rainaval and
Cantguy. Fronch forces carried out a
brilliant countermove and captured
the outskirts Of the latter place.
The War in Summary.
Fighting OF extreme violence has
continued along thd British section
OF the Picardy battle front lying
north Of the Somme river TO a point
just south Of Ayette,
Along this line approximately
twenty miles in width, the Germans
delivered numerous attacks without
obtaining any advantage South OF
the Somme river the British were
masters Of the situation ana by the
means OF strong counter thrusts
greatly improved their positions in
the Haneard sector, which Is about
ten miles southeast Of Amiens. .--s
German forces on the southern
IA end of the battle zone were fought
to a standstill by the heroic French
. troops and lost ground q consider
able value as q result Of French
counter assaults.
During the past thirlysiX hours
the Germans have concentrated
their greatest pressure against the
- English, but In spite Of the masses
Of troops which they threw into the
fray and the yigor with which their
r blows were delivered they we're M
able to change he situation.
4, The lines remain virtually as they
were before the Germans renewed
their drive
Weakened by their losses and with
their divisions shattered BY French
tire and French counter attacks, the
Germans were unable to resume
their attacks against the French
ds and contented themselves With bonn
harding French positions
~ Tf M