The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-04-20
FRENCH ARMY
WINS HANGARD
Germans Are Driven From
Town After Hand to Hand
Fighting.
FOES DIVERSION FAILS
Foch Sends Troops to Aid
British Despite Attacks
in the South.

WITH THE FRENCH ARMY III FRANCE,
April la.-All efforts by the Germans TO
keep the French engaged around Han
garden n-Santerre and prevent them from
sending roenforcements further north,
where the enemy is launching an attack
against the British lines, have failed
The Ercncl, l., the course O. numerous
enRaHenents III this district have greatly
improved -htir positions and have~not In
any way been deceived by the attempted
diversions Of the enemy.
The battles in the neighbo.hood Of
Hangard have been Of a most fierce de-
scription. involving hand TO hand flght-
Ing In the streets and inside houses. The
village itself has changed hands several
times, but now is firmly held by the
French. who throughout determined on
slaughts Of the Germans have displayed
the most heroic bravery.
The Germans have los. enormous nyln.-
| bers Of men. their dead lying abou.
everywhere, A considerable number Of
| their men also have been forced 10 sur
render. Since April IL there have been
repeated small ATTACKS by German shoci.
troops, All were iepulscd.
The French administered a sharp set
back YESTERDAY 20 the German forces,
which since the great push have been
hammer!ng away relentlessiy in an at
tempt to get astr!de the railroad con-
Meeting Amiers with Clermont
The attack was carried out most brill
!iantly. 1t began at dawn along front
extending nbout tive miles between
| Themes and Mail!y-Ea!neval. Tne result
was. In addition 20 the capture OF sew
eval hundred Germans. the seizure OF a
| numoer oe important po!pts which tho
! enemy had occupied. whence lie proba bly
! Intended to make another forward bound.
This ground has been the scene Of
nearly dozen fleryo encounters since
! April 4. The Germans have thrown at
, least fifteen divisions into the fray at
! different periods in an obstinate effort
| to reach their objective.
, Before the French vert over the to-,
| yesterday the Germans evidently raW
that an action was brewing. They sent
over poisonous shells but did not do mucl,
harm. The French artillery preparation
was most vigorous Then the infantry
went forward IN dense mist with Il fine
rain.
The ground was in terrible condition.
\
! the mud. but those veterans OF the
! Somme We're not dlsmayed, On the
northern flank they soon carried the
| commanding heights. Meanwhile in the
centre another wave OF infantry en-
tered Serecat Wood. where numerous ma
chine gun cmplacements, which defended
tho approa ches to Castel were reduced
| and cleared up in most courageous style
| by grenadiers and rinemen. The out.
t-N.l - 81 f,i.x
garrison OF that town was mcnaced.
Further south other French units oc-
cup:ed the dominating heights and ad-
vanced toward Anchin Farm, on the
road between Ailly-sur-Noye and Mo
, reull. Everywhere the Germans offered
the stcrnest opposition. but nothing could
stay the French advance.
| When the fighting Gained down pris-
oners were still coming in. \ number OF
machine guns fell into the hands OF the
French The German casualties were
heavy.