The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-04-13
THREE SMASHES
PLANNED BY FOE
ON NORTH FRONT
BaiIIeuI, Mervi|Ie and Aire, and
Bethune Main ObjeCtives, Re-
veaIS Captured Documents.

With the British army IN
France, April t1.--(5y the Asso'
oiated Press.)--Further attacks on
the British right wing between
Civenchy and Robecq, on labassce
canal. Yesterday wholly failed
TWO attempts made late in the
.ftsrnoon TO capture LOGON were
rsnuIsed. The British also coun.
tsr. attacked around Givenchy and
took an important German post.
With the British Army in
France, Friday, April i2;-!sy tne
Associated Press.)1-Wtn tns
.eption of Meryille the Germans
thps far have not reached their
obiectives in part for the present
driva. north and south Of Armen-
t;.res. but today's Developments
indicated that the enemy had no
intention of abandoning the as,
sauIt Immediately. "A captured
German document reveals that
there we're to be three smasnes o"
the front north and south OF Ar
mentieres. One had on"'eu,
its main objective, the other "er
vile and Aire and the th'rd BE-
thune.
No less than twenty eight DIVISIONS
had been employed by the enemy III
this pretcntious program which mas
meant that at some places the BRUSH
have been very heavily outnumbered'
A German division aggregates lS'ooo
IA IA 600 men. including $500 rifles.
st. Venant, between Merville ana
Aire. was being heavily attacked 70
dav nv strong forces of Germans alter
.Nf a ct u
them possession OF Merville. the en- =
en,y seemed desirous of reaching Arc
a railway center, and was throwing
large numbers Of troops into inc con
fiict The German threat in inns q,
rection undoubtedly is OF considerable
Importance. .,, =. ho
The fighting today continued TO DC
of the bitterest nature, not only IN tie
Nervile neighborhood where the llaln
assault was made but also north"aro
from Givenchy.
Yesterday and last night the enemy
continued his pressure from Wyts-
rhaete southwark and gradually Iorceo
the British to fall back from Ploes
steert and Ploegsteert wood until the
hattie was being staged today near
Ncuye Eglisc, to the west.
Meanwhile steady pressure was
maintained in the .Istaires sector pe-
vond which lay Merville and Are
During the night the enemy pushed
back the defenses at Lestrem and
captured Calonne- Sur-Lys. just sOuth-
uest Of Nerville. At the same time
thew pressed down through Neuf Ber-
nuin. little above Merville and
these two converging forces hurled
themselves on the town. GIVING way
before greater numbers. the British
fell back toward ST. Nenant' hghtine
doggedly all the way against 'ne
closely pressing Germans. san =
culinary battle was proceeding touay
east of st. Venant with the british
makinr n determined stand. During
the night the British rountcr-auacked
wcst of Steenwcrck. west OF Arrnen n-
there's and reoccupied La Bacquc attei
hard fiEhting.
Tho German attack about GivcnchN
on tho southern end Of the battle nn'
was being pressed today by some hli'
divisions There has been NirtuhllS
no cessation in the fighting here Slnc'
the beginning Of the battle Tuesday,
Thus far the British have maintainen
A stone wall defense against WhlcH
the Germans have flung themselVes
with heavy losses. Today the cas-
uaIIty list OF the attacking troops was
swelled appallingly as the British ar
fillcry and machiup guns pounded con
ccntration points, I'D troops advanc-
ing in close formation.
The work Of the British Cunners -
Givenchy has been noteworthy. cn
the first day when The Germans swept
forward IN masses and the situation
vqs very grave. many artillerymef
worked Tor hours shooting point
hfark AZ close range. Ono cuNncrN
sergeant stood by M piece. FIRMS
with open sights at a range Of zoo