Evening star., 1918-04-16

Although the loss Of Bailleul and
some of the comparatively high ground
around 1t, such as Mount de Lille and
Revetsberg, represents a decided set
back for the defense. the British line
as 1t has been withdrawn Is still on
ground much higher than the Germans
occupy. The British artillery thus pos
sesses numerous vantage points from
which it can continue to pour in a dew
astatinE fire upon the attacking col
umns Chief among these high spots
is Mount KENNEL. which towers up
more than 400 feet from the low ground
about wulverghem, two miles to tnS
HAYS forces still have arm hold on
all this valuable hill region.
What. may be called the frontal at
facks Of the Germans upon the rtdge
system back OF MessineA. Wytschaete
and Hollebeke furnish the spectacuias
feature Of the operations AZ reflected
IN today's news One brief paragraph
in Field Marshal Haigs report. now.
that should not be overlooked. It re-
cords the repulse of heavy German at
tacks southwest of vieux Berquin.
Seek vital Railway Town.
The German line here runs along the
easterly border Of Nieppe wood. and 1t
b by q push to the northwest in this
rexion that the enemy hopes to reach
Hazebrouck, some five miles distant,
and take this highly important railway
town. Well nigh vital rail communtcA-
tions to the Messines and Ypres regions
being strongly held in this region. how
ever, and the fanking movement shows
no signs Of making progress. as the re-
port Of the vieux BerQuin engagement
shows.
centered upon the northern side of the
Lys battlefield, no important fighting
being reported from the southern Sec
tors.
British omcial Report.
BY the Associated Press.
LONDON. April 16.-The Germans
have captured Bailleul, on the northern
battle front, the war office announces.
The British have fallen back to new
positions north Of Bailleul and Wulver-
CHEM.
Fresh German attacks are developing
in the neighborhood Of Wytschaete.
German attack southwest Of Vieux
Berquin was repulsed. The statement
reads:
Yesterday evening, preceded by an
intense bombardment, the enemy launch
ed very heavy attacks against our posi-
tons between Bailleul and Neuve Eglise.
The assault was delivered by three
picked German divisions which had not
and 1t succeeded after fierce and bitter
struggle in carrying the high ground
southeast and east of Bailleul known as
Mount de Lille and Reyetsberg. Our
to now positions to the north Of Bailleul
and Wulverghem. Bailleul has fallen
into the enemy's hands. This morning
fresh German attacks are developing in
~ Af hN. -
Foe Checked at vieux Bequin.
Early this morning the enemy also
attacked southwest of Vieux Berquin
under heavy artillery and trench mortar
IRE. but was repulsed.
"A number of prisoners were taken
by US during the night in successful
minor enterprise southeast of Robecq.
''On the remainder of the British front
there was nothing of special interest to
report.
Last Nights Report.
The night report says:
Fighting occurred this afternoon in
the neighborhcod of Bailleul and Wul-
verghem and is continuing. On the re-
mainder Of the Lys battle front there Is
nothing particular to report
THE hostile artillery has shown ac-
liVlly AL CcEtdlu bcClOFSs
between Givenchy and Robecq. Bodies
of German infantry moving along La
Bassee-Estaires road were effectively
engaged by our artillery.
-On the other parts of the British
front there was no important incident" I"
Guns Active on French Front.
PARIS, April 16-Heavy artillery
fighting occurred last night on the
main battle front in the neighborhood
of Montdidier. the war ONCE announces.
The French captured machine gun
and prisoners near the Disc canal. The
statement follows:
I'm the region south of Montdidier
there wss heavy artillery fighting. In
the seekor Of Noyon the French made
some Progress In local operation.
"French reconncitering parties were
verx<ectiyes especially In the region OF
fhe 0ise caAal. ~ French detachmenf