The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-04-09
mo INFANTRY ACTIONS WERE
REPORTED DURING THE night
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUMMARY OF WAR

The Germans have encountered un-
favorable weather for their eontennp-
lated big attack against the British
front and no infantry action had
developed against the British or
French when the reports were dis
patched from headquarters this fore
noon.
The violent artillery battle is con-
tinuina on both fronts, notably along
the British line Of approximately fif-
teen miles from Ia Bassee canal 90
above Armentieres, Just north of the
present battle area.
The British line on this front has
not moved since the summer of 1915
and there has been little important
fighting along it in this period, the
Ypres and Arras battles of last year
leaving il untouched.
Although the Germans may be con-
templatinp an attack here, the
probabilities seem that the lombard
n1ent is more of denomination than
anything else. with the object OF dis
tracing British attention and draw
ing reserves from behind the more
important front.
In the SomRs region the Germans
are heavily sheIlina the British line
directly east Of Amiens on the seven
mile front north from VilIeru- Breton
H9NA TO MGFtG0UFE FA1bgs
The principal artillery battles in
the French area were around the
Montdidier salient and eastward to
Noyon. These struggles of the big
guns were carried over from yester-
day, when the increased activity be.
gan TO develop
The French apparently are COM
pletina their withdrawal south of the
Oises 20 the west Of Laon, where they
have made their line conform in gen.
sral 60 the Ailstte river valley link
ing IL Up with the old line southeast
of Couey- le Chateau. The Germans
who advanced as the French opera
tion was IN progress here we're kept
constantly covered by the French
artillery and sustained heavy losses.
In preparation for another heavy
infantry attack in Pieardy, German
guns Of all oalibrss are roaring along
q front Of more. than 100 miles from
north Of AFFaa TO north Of Scissors.
The entire countryside is said 10 be
rocking from the heavy detonations,
but no infantry action has yet deYsI-
oped.
Especially severe has been the
German fire around Buequoy, north
OF Albert, south of the Somms and
between, Montdidier and Mpyon.
Buequoy, south Of AFras, is on the
northern end Of the sector which the
British defended 80 vaIiautly last
week. The British here and both to
the north and south hold strong hill
positions from which they command
all approaches. The Germans must
widen the head Of their wedge along
the somme and IL is believed they
again will attempt 60 do IL by attacks
in the Bucauoy area.
Below Montdidier the German line
bends. Here also the French have
held the Germans for nearly ten days |
despite severe attacks. To extend the |
battle front on the south the attack |
Ing front probably would include the /
line eastward from Montdidisr TO
Noyon.
Along the Aners, somme, Luce and
Avre rivers where the Germans made /
strong and fruitlesa attacks during /
The last ten days, the enemy artillery 1
ire has increased greatly,
On the extreme eastern end Of the /
southern leg Of the salient, the Ger /
mans have been checked in their ad- 1
vance southwark from Chauny. The /
reneh still hold a part Of the lower
.orest Of couey and on Monday the
French rear guards inflicted heavy /
osses on the Germans. The enemy /
las not yet reached the Ailctte river. 4
On the rest Of the front ia France i
here has been little activity. On the
American sectors there have been /
5atrol actions and artillery firing.
Artillery exchanges continue on the
Italian front, but the bombardment is
lot violent. British troops. who have
,sen stationed along the Piavs near
dontsllo, have taken over 3 sector
IN the Italian mountain front IN che
egion Of Asiago.