Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-16

Fighting has died down again in
Flanders and Picardy and only the
guns are busy. The artillery fire con-
tinues strong all along these fronts, as
well as on the Arras front and is most
violent north Of KENNEL and north
and south of the Somme from Albert to
the Avre.
These sectors have been the scenes
Of all the recent fighting and they
probably will see the strongest enemy
efforts whenever the Germans believe
tho time is opportune to strike anew.
In Flanders the Germans have been
disappointed in their attempts to gain
hill -, as the French not only drove
them from the high ground, but also
penetrated the enemy positions.
Intense Bombardment.
In Picardy the Germans have not
renewed their counter attacks to drive
the French from the wooded terrain
captured near Hailles. German and
French artillery fire continues heavy
north Of the Avre. The enemy bonn
bardment of the French lines here has
been most intense for the past two
weeks, but the Germans have attempt
ed no attacks except to react against
successful French local gains.
British ohicial Report.
By the Associated Press.
LONDON. May 16.-The artillery
was active last night in the valleys Of
the Somme and Ancre rivers, east Of
Arras and on the Flanders battlefield,
the war Office reports. The statement
follows.
Our troops raided the enemy's
trenches last night in the neighbor-
hood Of Gavrelle (northeast of Arras)
and captured a few prisoners.
Beyond artillery activity on both
sides at different points. particularly
in the valleys Of the Somme and Ancre
rivers. east Of Arras and on the north
ern battle 'front.' there is nothing fur
Last Nights Report.
LONDON. May 15.-Field Marshal
Haig's report from British headquar-
ters in France tonight says:
There was local fighting in which
the French troops captured several
prisoners and successfully advanced
their line early in the morning in the
sector north of KENNEL village.
Elsewhere there was nothing be-
yond artillery activity on. both sides
of the battle front"
Aerial Operations.
The official statement on aerial op-
erations issued tonight says:
In the air fighting Tuesday six
hostile machines were brought down
and one was driven down out Of con-
troll: one was shot down by anti-air-
craft gunf1re and one by infantry fire.
Two Of our machines are missing.
Bombing continued actively during
on the railway stations at Lille,
Menin. Chaulnes and Peronne. on bill
lsts at Bapaume and on the docks at
Bruses. All our machines returned.
'NOn Wednesday a successful raid
was made on railway station sidinss
at Thionville. Twenty-four heavy
bombs were dropped. Bursts were OBJ
served on the railway sheds and
track. and the furnaces of the Carl
shuttle factory. alongside the rail-
way. were hit four times. All our
machines returned safely in spite of
tho heavy anti-aircraft gunfire"
Battle at Hill A.
By the Associated Press
WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE. May 15.-Hard fighting
continued today in the neighborhood
Of Hill A. north Of KENNEL, which
was stormed and retaken late yester-
day by French troops. This much
disputed elevation has changed hands
many times recently. but the French
were still holding the Germans of at
z o'clock this afternoon.
Thus this little rising ground from
the water-logged Flemish plain
about 1t had suddenly come to occupy
an important place in the annals OF
~the fighting in this section of the
front. although thus far 1t has never
been even dignified with a name other
than that contained in the figures in.
dicating its height.
Dominating Position.
Its value lies in the fact that il
dominates considerable territory and
for this reason it has been a thorn in
the desh for the ambitious Germans
It is believed that they want 1t to
facilitate their next attack in this
lcontinued- on Second Pags.l