New-York tribune., 1918-04-20
Enemy Slo.us Up;
British Restore
Lines in Dash

patch received here tonight from
the Reuter- correspondent at British
headquarters in France.
"The great attack launched at
9:30 o'clock in the forenoon, be-
tween Givenchy and Robecq, after
five hours Of intense bombardment,
was complete failure. Between
Avelette Bridge and Riez Duvinage
the enemy was repulscd with calam-
itous losses, leaving some hundreds
Of prisoners in our hands.
"This morning there were signs
of enemy activity against the high
ground to the north and northeast
Of Givenchy, but possibly this was
only an aftermath of the main at
tack, which was repulsed. The sit
uation Of any Germans there is
anything but pleasant.
"South of La Bassee Canal the
night was quiet. There was some
heavy shelling at St. Emelie and in
the area northwest of Arras, but no
infantry movement followed.
"By dashing little operation our
line in the neighborhood Of Riez
Duvinage has been restored. Indi-
cations are not lacking that the Ger
mans will continue their main ef-
fort to push northerly between
Meteren and Wytschaete.
"They probably succeeded in get
ting across the Ypres-Comines
Canal some heavy artillery in the
region Of Houthem, doubtless in
tending to enrilade the lines near
Mount KENNEL. South of Steen-
werck few of the enemy heavies
have hitherto been in action.
"In the course of the fighting on
April IL on the Romarin- -Rossignol
front four companies of regiment of
the German 214th Division lost an
average Of IS per cent. In the first at
tack at Meteren three battalions of the
81st German Reserve Division were re-
duced to less than, a company strength
apiece.
"In the two days fighting east of
Strazeele six battalions of the 42d Ger
men Division, representing two-thirds
CT the total divisional infantry
strength. suffered considerably more
than so per cent casualties. The 22d
Regiment Of the 11th Bavarian Divi-
sion at Neuve Eglise on the night of
April IA was wiped out.
"Three battalions Of the I'd Bavarian
Regiment of Alpine Corps in the at
tack at Mont Lille were so cut up that
they are unlikely to be heard of again
in the present battle. Both the 18th
Reserve Division and the 32d Division
suffered disastrous losses"
Smash Foes Repairs.
The Germans are energetically re-
pairing roads with large quantities of
concrete slabs which are laid like paw
! ing stones, declares the correspondent
"As soon as they are nicely set
/ continued the message, "our gunners
tear great craters in the smooth sur
face. A captured letter describing the
appearance of the Bapaume Road paws
tribute to the devastating work of our
airmen and artillery"
Referring to the participation of AL
pine troops in an attempt by the Ger
mans to capture chain of hills run
ning eastward to Cassel, the message
said:
An officer of this corps in a. let
ter which has fallen into our hands
said, We have made up our minds
to plunder again ruthlcssly. In the
Alpine Corps we understand the bust
ness"
"This new German attack in the d.
rection of Bethune," the dispatch con-
tinues, els obviously intended to pro-
tcct the cnemys fanks if the wishes to
trying to secure La Bassec Canal, with
the object of safeguarding his troops
around Dailleul, and simultaneously
imperilling the British in the French
coal field near Bethune
THE arrival of the French support
is regarded as most important They
are described as splenddly seasoned
men. The sight Of the long blue lines
marching up the roads heartened the
British, giving them a fresh sense of
security, and the news of the French
fSS IeSSiHc StIOhc SOuln OF ANlenS StlIl
further heartened the anxious watchers
at home.
Threatened Communications
"The British withdrawal east OF
fpres was due to the German advance
from the south along the Lys Valley
threatening communications of the
Ypres army. Thus the distance that
this army would have to retreat if the
enemy looked like breaking through the
Cassel KENNEL line and heights has
been reduced. The result of yester-
days fighting shows less likelihood of
the enemy breaking through than il
did, and although the retirement in
the Ypres sector is rcgrcttable, yet
they are no nearer TO securing posses
sion Of the important heights between
them and the coast. They failed to get
Givenchy and are still no nearer Haze
brouck, whose capture is necessary to
the enemy plans.
Before Mount KENNEL, the rugged
wooded hill that has already cost the
| enemy so dearly, their masses are adj.
vancng openly and are moved down
The enemy here is trying to break q
way beyond Metcren and west of
Bailleul. Although we abandoned
Metercn and Wytschaetc, the encmys
position is most uncomfortable.
Outposts Hurled Back
"The German outposts were unable
to advance beyond the north side of
Mcteren. IT cannot be said that the
general situation is less anxious, but
there Ia Iyudouhfodty ;ncroao;r.. 49,.