Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1918-04-17
First Troops to Arrive Greeted
by Haig'S Men.
BRITISH RETAKE GIVENCHY
Town is Recaptured by Counterfeit
tack and $50 Prisoners Are Taken
French Win Number of
Fights-Teutons Gain Be-
tween Armenteres
and La Bassee.

With the British Army in France,
April 1.-THE first of the American
lighting troops have arrived on the
British front and have been greeted
with intense enthusiasm.
The overseas pioneers were a bat
talon of infantry which came swing
ing along the road into certain Sec
tor after an all-night march that began
on the anniversary of Americas dec
laratiOn of war.
The dusty uniforms and unshaven
faces of the Americans showed that
they had been long on the road.
Huns Extend Attack.
The German front of attack is eX-
tending. Early in the morning bonn
bardment was begun on the British pO-
sitiOns from the ArmentiereS region as
far north as the Ypres-Comines canal.
On the southern part of this front in
fantry fighting is reported to have be-
gun. The announcement follows:
ION the front north of La Bassee
canal fierce fighting continued during
the night. Our troops are holding the
line of the Rivers Lave and Lys and
are heavily engaged with the enemy
at the river crossings at Estaires and
Bac st. Maur.
ION the southern flank of attack
Givenchy, into which the enemy at one
time forced his way, was recaptured
later in the day by a successful coun-
ter-attack by the Fifty-ifth division,
which took $50 prisoners in this area.
Early this morning the enemy opened
Il heavy bombardment of our positions
east and north of ArmentiereS as far
as the Ypres-C Confines canal. Fight
ing is reported to have commenced ON
the southern portion of this front.
ION the British front south of the
SOmme there was local fighting yester-
day evening at certain points, without
changing the situation"
French Await Americans.
With the French Army in France,
April 1.-THE approaching entry of
American troops into the line of bat
tie beside the troops of the entente
is being awaited with absorbing inter-
est by the men who are facing the Ger
MANS
Most of the men have heard how
well the Americans have held the sec
tors in various parts of the line, either
acting alone or in conjunction with
their allies.
French Troops Victors.
Paris, April 1.-THE French official
report says: "The night was marked
by series of local actions begun by
the Germans at several points on the
front.
"In the region of Hangard-en-San-
terre the Germans delivered an attack
which was preceded by strong artil-.
lery preparation.
"At Chauny a violent fight took
place for possession of the village,
which several times changed hands.
About three o'clock in the morning
counter-attack launched by French
troops brought the 'i4age and ceme-
terry into our possession.
"At the same time German at
tack which was intended to drive the
French out of the wood to the west
of Castel suffered a severe check.
"West of Noyon the Germans were
more fortunate.
"In the region of Suzoy French
troops smashed the German efforts,
which increased the number of his
losses without giving him any gain.
"On the left bank of the River Disc
and in the region of the canal there
was intermittent artillery fighting.
Northwest of Reims the French
succeeded in penetrating the enemy
lines and in bringing back some pris-
oners.
There was great activity of both
artilleries on the right bank of the
Mouse, in the forest of Apremont and
in the Woevre, in the region of
Flirey."
U. S. Men on Battle Front
London, April 9.-American forces
in great strength are reported on the
Pfcardy battlefield. They may receive
their baptism of big battle fire within
the next few hours.
Germans Claim New Gains.
Berlin, April 1.-THE German Off
cial report says: Between Armen-
there's and La Bassee canal, after
strong preparation by our artillery
AND mine throwers. we attacked the
English and Portuguese positions. We
took the first enemy lines and cap
tured about 5000 prisoners and 100
guns.
North of Armentieres we penetrat-
ed the English lines on both sides of
Waasten-Warneton."