The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-22
NEW HUN DRIVE
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Continued from Page Oue.l
Ypres positions. The nature of the
ground and the disposition of the OPP
posing forces make it seem probable
that a repetition of the attempt is to
be looked for. The situation in the
Somme region is being for the mo-
ment even more closely watched than
that along the Franco Belgian border
to the north. Field Marshal Haig re-
ports heavy Smelling of the British
lines on both sides of the Somme and
the Ancre, and the correspondents
are sending word of German prepara-
tions for a movement of some nature
between Arras and Amiens, within
which the region under bombardment
is located.
Activity in the Somme.
The enemy is known to have
brought up some of the heaviest guns
to the Somme battle field where
Amiens is his objective but the en-
tente artillery is matching these and
hampering the Germans severely in
their preparations for attack. Last
night the French repulsed German
raid along the Avre in this region.
Taking advantage of the moonlight,
the Germans at ten O'Clock last nlght
made a strong but unsuccessful attack
against the British positions north of
Aveluy wood, on the front above AL
bert. Heavy fighting continued until
four o'clock this morning. The Ger
mans appear to have taken one British
outpost and to have lost ground them
selves elsewhere in the wood. The
assault was preceded by a heavy bonn
bardment and the gunfire on both
side kept up most of the night. There
was active artillery fighting Sunday
east of Arras and on both sides of the
Scarpe. The bombardment at Viller-
Bretonneux and the surrounding ter
ritory also was continued. The British
improved their lines somewhat in the
neighborhood of Villers-Bretonneux.
British Advance Lines.
London, April 22.-The British adj
vanced their lines slightly last night in
local operations on both of the prin-
,cipaI battle fronts, the war office an
nounces.
Gains were made near Villers- Bre-
tonneux and Albert, on the Somme
front, and Robecq at the tip of the
Flanders salient.
A strong local attack by the Ger
mans on the front north of Albert was
repulsed after the enemy had cap
tured one of the British advanced
posts.
The official statement follows:
Early in the night strong local
attack accompanied by heavy she'll
| ing was made by the enemy against
| our positions in the neighborhood of
Mesnil, north of Albert. After sharp
| fighting, in the course of which the
enemy succeeded in capturing one of
| cur advanced posts, the attack was re-
| pulsed.
Successful Raids Made.
| 1--WE improved our positions slightly
| during the night in the Villers-Bre-
tonneux Albert and Robecq sectors.
"A number of successful raids were
carried out by us at different points
south and north of Lens, resulting in
| MN Of nd h ne
guns.
There has been considerable artil-
/ lery activity on both sides on differ
ent sectors of the British front. The
enemy's Smelling has been directed
| chiefly against our positions astride
| the Somme and Ancre rivers in the
Lens sector, in the neighborhood of
Festubert and in the Nieppe forest"
Germans Arc Quiet.
On the Picardy and Flanders bat
! tlefields, the Germans have not re-
sumed their attacks and apparently
are waiting for the high command to
decide where to strike next, while fresh
troops and new supplies are being
brought forward.
Meanwhile French reinforcement
are pouring in behind the British lines.
French troops are now with Field
Marshal Haig's men on both the
northern and southern legs of the
salient south of Ypres.
I British Take Some Ground.
! Near Robecq on the southern leg,
the British have driven the Germans
from some advanced posts. In this
! area where strong German attacks
were repulsed sanguinariIy last week
the enemy artillery is most active. Ar
tillery duels continue violent along
most of the Picardy battle front, where
the Germans are using guns of the
biggest calibres.
! Today the German offensive begins
it,, second month without having
separated the British and French and
| with the British arm still intact
Where the next blow will fall is I'M
certain, but the allies are prepared to
meet it as they have met the others
II is probable the Germans are not
willing to end the Flanders attack
without making another effort to
drive in the northern leg and get be-
hind Ypres. Enemy activity south OF
Arras also has been noticed.
Prisoners and Guns Taken.
South and north of Lens (midway
between the Picardy and Flanders
battle fronts) we conducted a mum
Der of successful raids, capturing
prisoners and machine guns.
| ''In different sectors there was con-
siderable reciprocal artillery fighting.
The enemy Smelling was directed