Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-09
BRITISH BLOCK
ENEMY THRUSTS
DESPERATE EFFORTS BY GER
MANS TO IMPROVE POSITIONS
BRING DEFEAT.
by Associated Press Staff


various points along the British bat
tie front. While none of them has
seemed large as compared with the
intense conflict waged in the first days
of the German offensive, yet all Of
them are important in that they rep.
resent the foundation work for bigger
events to come.
Twice last evening and again this
morning the Germans undertook to
advance at points in the sector north
and south Of Albert and each time
they failed. At o'clock this morning
considerable enemy force advanced
for an attack In the vicinity of
Bucquoy, north of Albert.
RARRAGE STOPS HUNS.
The Germans we're seen coming
while they were still mile away and
the British artillery and machine guns
put down such an intense barrage
among them that the projected assault
was stopped. Some time afterward the
enemy reformed his forces and made
another effort but this was checked
without the use Of infantry.
One Of the attacks last evening was
delivered southwest of Albert where
the enemy had been battling so de-
terminedly to get strong hold on the
Albert-Amiens railway. Under cover
Of heavy machine gun barrage the
German; infantry surged forward
against the British line but was met
with such whitening rifle and ma
chine gun fire that it was compelled
to retire.
TORNADO OF SHELLS
The other onslaught was attempted
near Serre, south of Hebuterne. Two
short but intense periods of barrage
I'LL were put down on the British de-
lenses. At 1880 o'clock the German
infantry rushed forward in heavy
force AS the Germans advanced they
were caught in tornado Of British
artillery fire which plowed mercilessly
through their ranks and completely
smashed them.
Further fighting occurred today at
Hangard wood which has been the
scene OF much cruel fighting in the
last few days. The British in the
early hours delivered counter attacks
by which they forced the enemy back
somewhat and took few prisoners.
According to the latest reports the
British are holding on to the western
edge of this wood. In this connection
1t is interesting to note that German
prisoners have stated the enemy plan
ned strong attack at Hangard wood
today.
GERMANS POSITION UNTENABLE
The German efforts today at Buc-
quoy and yesterday near Serre we're
" ~ ctN NJ
tempts to get themselves out of a
nasty position in which they find them
selves in this region and in which
they have been since the beginning
Of the drive was stopped in the last
days of March.
At this point the Germans are hold
ing a very sharp salient which bulges
out into British territory along line
roughly represented by BucQuoy, Hebu-
terne, Colincamps, Auchonvillers and
Hamel. This salient Is somewhat
saucer shaped, the outer edge being !
on high ground. Upon these elevations
the British sat down at the end Of
their retirement and since then have |
successfully defied the enemy to dis
lodge them.
ADVANTAGE WITH BRITISH
Within the salient is an inhospitable |
zone which formed part of No Mans
Land in the first battle of the Somme |
It is shell torn and altogether Is an |
unpleasant place over which to con-
duct operations. Not only Is the |
ground badly furrowed but the whole !
sector is dominated by British ma
chine guns which send never-ending |
streams Of bullets swirling down into |
he enemy camps, which present ex-
;ellent targets. II the Germans were !
% start the second phase of their |
grand offensive now and were forced |
% kick off" from their present posi-
ion in this salient, they would en-
counter tremendous difficulties In
satisfactory communica-
ions across the desert which lies just
back of their front line. They need
he high ground on the edge of their
saucer before they can begin big /,
attack SO that they can get their guns
for otherwise the artillery
would be outdistanced and everything
would depend upon the infantry.
ATTACK ENDS IN FAILURE
IL was UeCduS0 OL LulS SlLuaLlOu
hat attacks were made last Friday
~ the Germans. Four more or less
resh divisions were brought up for
his operation and huge number of
,uns were brought into play, especial
y over the back areas Considerable
Quantities Of gas also were thrown In
% the vicinity Of Fonquevillers, indi-
Eating that the Germans did not in
end to try to advance to great depth
since this gas hangs about for long
line.
The enemy was simply trying to get
l hold on the dominating ridges. They
Jailed to advance at most points about
The salient and even lost a consider
able stretch of ground in counter at
;ack by the British between Hebuterne
and Rossignol wood, where the British
pushed forward some 500 yards. At
Bucquoy the Germans had some sue
cess and got footing in some places
out their attack as whole was big
allure. The enemy casualties were
very heavy because of the dominating
positions held by British machine guns