Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-15

The British last evening followed
up their success of Saturday when
they pushed the Germans back
from Robecq, on the Clarence river
Local counter attacks delivered on
the German positions, 5000 yards
to the east of this town were suo-
cessfuI and the enemy again was
forced to fall back somewhat.
The British in the course OF the
afternoon also pushed out several
posts north of the canal between
the Lave and Clarence rivers.
These operations indicate that
the defense of the entente allied
troops has stiffened.
The battle which has been raging
about Neuve Englise has been one
of the most sanguinary since the
German offensive began. On Fri
day night the Germans succeeded
after heavy hand to hand fighting in
gaining possession of the town
They held it through the night, but
on Saturday morning the British
drove forward and pushed out the
enemy.
Stop Hun Thrusts.
LOHuOut April 1O.-O6FCA hlLHNhA
by the Germans in the Merville
sector of the northern battle front
have been repulsed by the British,
who inflicted heavy losses on the
enemy, it is announced officially.
The British have lost Neuve Egg
lise.
Southwest Of Bailleul, the Ger
mans temporarily penetrated the
British positions but were driven
out by counter attack.
(By Associated Press.)
The British lines on the Lys
front, near the Franco-Belgian bor-
der are holding well against the
terrific drives which the Germans
are continuing to make upon them.
Give Only at NeuVe Englise-
All around the sweeping semi
circle created by the enemy attacks
to the southwest of the Messines
ridge positions, he was fought 10
standstill yesterday and last night
and in some localities the British
positions were improved by coun-
ter strokes. At only one point did
the defense give way in the least
This was at Neuve Englise. on the
extreme lower edge of the Messines
spur, where the British finally with
drew from the village after beating
off attack after attack.
The probabilities seem 10 be that
the German capture of even this
small bit of ground will be a short
lived one. The village has changed
hands repeatedly during the fight
ing of the last few days and the
British were once before definitely
out OF II, only to recapture II in a
counter attack. This morning the
British again were back at the Ger
mans here and were reported to be
giving them a hard pounding.
Meryille Sector Important.
Large results hinged on the bat
tie further within the salient. in the
Merville sector where the Germans
have effected their furtherest west
ward penetration. They are push
ing here for HaZebrouck. occupa-
tion of which would cut off import
ant railway connections OF the
British and make the holding OF
the line to the northwest extremely
difficult
The Germans displayed their APP
probation OF this by attacking no
les than seven times in the Ner-
VILE region. the desperation OF
their attack being evidenced by the
fact that one assault WAS carried
out by troops in five waves This
was the only attack that bent the
British line IN the slightest and the
position here was speedily restored
In ifa antfrpfV nv "A Ncuntar attack
FOiled mt BallleuL
The Germans similarly have been
foiled in their efforts To push In
further In the Bailleul region
Far to the southwest on the Lys
front they have failed likewise In
their attempt to drive in back OF
Bethune, The British In local op-
erations have advanced their lines
and pushed the enemy back from
the Clarence river. They took l50
prisoners and several machine
guns. 4