New-York tribune., 1918-05-29
French Restore
Positions in North:
Foes Losses Heavp

bHl1ISd HEADQ QUARTERS IN
FRANCE, May % (via Ottawa) When
the battle of Flanders died down last
night the situation on the right and
centre of the front attacked remained
practically as before. Northward, be-
tween La Clytte and Dickebusch Lake,
where the French left rests upon the
British flank, the Germans were still
IN possession of small length of the
front line system.
The heaviest fighting occurred op-
poslte Olhlcrdem, where the French
took two woods near Dickebusch. Tow
ard evening touch was regained with
group of machine gunners in Ridge
Wood, the party in most gallant way
having kept the Germans at bay dur
ing the entire day.
The night was fairly quiet. No
where north of tho Somme has the
enemy renewed his heavy lombard
ment.
Franco-British troops again actively
engaged st daylight this morning east
| OF Dlckebusch one or two enemy pock-
Ridge Wood.
The issue of yesterdays battle in
, Flanders may be regarded with com
plete satisfaction. The enemy attained
practically nothing. His casualties
were OF the heaviest description, as at
many places he was repulsed before
reaching the Allied front line.
Smashing French .counter-attacks re-
establised the situation in the centre
almost Immediately, while in the lake
section the Poilus also regained the
major portion of the ground lost.
Bitter fighting. occurred about the
famous. Ridge Wood and two other
woods lying east of the lake. Both Of
the latter were captured by the Ger
mans in the earlier hours Of the battle,
but were regained later in the day.
Enemy Gains Small
When the correspondent visit ed the
French last night virtually the entire
sector involved was intact. 1t was
stated that the gains which the enemy
made in the Dickebusch region were
small.
There was very hard fighting on the
French left flank throughout the dav
and the artillery duel was intense. but
the German attack was not made in
great strength It's object appears to
have been merely to regain the high
ground which the French captured on
May 20. Apparently elements Of four
divisions were employed by the enemy,
and 1T may be estimated that eight to
ten thousand German infantrymen en-
were sent forward on front of shout
! 5000 yards.
The attack was preceded by the
heaviest bombardment since Won Hin
denburg launched the offensive of
March 21. At the beginning of this
| terrific cannonade it looked as though
the Germans we're about to renew their
great effort. From / o'clock Yesterday
morning until dark great concen-
tratlon OF hostile artillery maintained
bombardment OF drumfre intensity.
which was opposed furiously. More
gas smells than usual were employed
oy the Germans, especially in the back
areas, in an effort to catch concentra- -
tions of Allied troops.
Barrage Halts Attack
When the Germans advanced thew
met such an effective barrage on the
french right flank that the attackers
never got to close quarters. They sus-
tained severe punishment from concen-
trated shelltire and French machine
guns.
In the centre and on the left flank
however, the enemy was more success
full IN the first rush. Pompier, south of
La Clytte, was captured, and the eneny
pushed back the defending line some.
what south and east of Dickebusch h
Lake.
Fighting was still continuing at
nightfall, when the Germans again in
creased their artillery fire, which had
subslded somewhat during the day.
NO infantry action was reported last
night on any other part of the British
lrqnt except for raiding operations.
British troops carried out successful
raids to the east Of Ayette and north.
east OF Boisleux-St. Marc
The British and enemy air services
were again intensely active. .Takino
advantage Of the moonlight, German
pilots crossed the lines in large mum.
bers on bombing raids, and ali niph,
the sky along the whole front VA.
lighted up by the flashes from the al.
lied anti-aircraft guns. a.