South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-13

Z our positions nave Deeh MAINTAIN
ed.
40 Divisions Engaged.
"Over 10 German divisions so far
have been engaged since the be-
ginning of the battle on March p.
over 40 of these divisions have been
thrown into the fighting two CT
three times"
1t was not until Friday that The
Germans claimed the capture Of
Armentieres, although the British
evacuated it on Wednesday even
ing.
The night report of the German
war office said:
"Our victorious troops are pro-
crossing through the wide (Lys
river) plains lying through Armen-
there's and Melville" The British
soldiers defending Armentieres
fought so bravely that they won
even the praise of the German war
office. The official report said that
the garrison of 800 men and so of
fcers only laid down their arms
after the most desperate resist
ance.'
Follow Bombardment.
As had been expected the Ger
mans followed up their lombard
ment of the French lines along the
Amiens salient with infantry as
saults, directed principally in the
sector of lanyard en- Santerre. The
violent fighting which broke out
there lasted throughout Friday.
I'm front of Hourges the enemy
was not able to advance in spite of
his efforts" said the Friday night
report of the French war office.
After several fruitless attacks, car
ried out by fresh German troops,
the enemy vas able to penetrate the
French posi- ion at Hangard. COun-
ter attacks were launched imme-
diately and the French recaptured
the western part of the village.
Fighting Of great violence has con-
tinued there. In the Noyon sector
Cnear the southeastern end of the
Amiens salient) the artillery activity
| = as very severe
Pressure Increased.
The German pressure in the bat
tie zone north of the Picardy field
has steadily increased, but whether
CT not it has yet reached its zenith
I is still TO be seen. The general or
der issued by Field Marshal Halg
to all ranks Of the British army in
dictated that still stronger attacks
are to be expected.
! Drawing a line directly southwark
from Ypres toward La Bassee it can
/ be seen that the British line has
I Il 90 M r-Nzr
10 miles in the sector of the Lys
river.
ct was in this district that the
| Germans captured Merville.)
Try TO EnveIop Positions.
| The German lunges Immediately
rorth of the Lys river have evil
IDENTIFY been aimed at the envelop-
ment of the British positions defend
| ing the famous Messines ridge on
/ the West Flanders front. All frontal
attacks against the ridge failed with
heavy losses. 1t is true that the Ger
| mans gained some ground but be-
fore they could consolidate their po-
sitions they were thrown back by
strong counter thrusts.
(The town of Messines is report
! &c 10 be in German hands, but 1t
/ does not lie upon the ridge proper.
/ 1t is at the southern end of this
strip OF high ground.)
A feature of the fighting in north
ern France, outside of strictly mill
! tary consideration. is the fact that
tie German advances since Wednes-
day morning face the small strip Of
coal mine fields still held by the
| French. The greater part of the
French coal producing territory was
! controlled by the Germans north
I and south of Lens. but there were
some mines 10 the northwest of this
| zone. That is the district in which
/ the Germans are now delivering
| their most desperate assaults.