The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-04-18
FRESH MEN USED
by THE GERMANS
$4,000 TROOPS NOT HERETOFORE
ENGAGED IN ATTACK.
WULVERGHEM IS UNTENABLE
Enemy In Control Of Town But Can
not Hold 1t Owing To Fierce Fire
From Allied Batteries-other
Attacks Repulsed.


London, April 16.-- "Bailleul and
Wulyergham, two of the most STRAIT
egic points on the northern portion
OF the Flanders front, have been cap.
tured by the Germans Field Mar
shall Haig reported today.
We have fallen back to the north
of Bailleul and Wulvergham," Haig
said. "Baillcul and wulvergham are
in tho enemy's hands,"
Germans Used Fresh Troops.
Between Bailienl and Neuve Eglise
yesterday afternoon there was an in
tense bombardment followed by a
heavy enemy attack by three picked
enemy divisions, composed of thirty
six thousand men, who had never
been previously engaged
"They were successful after hard
lighting in the battle and carried the
high grounds southeast and east of
BailIeul known as Mont De-Lille and
Rayestburg."
Wulvergham Is untenable.
Wulyergham which is dominated
by the Messines Ridge on the north
portions. is rendered untenable by
the British artillery firing from that
height.
Fresh German attacks in the neigh
borhood of Wytschaete and southeast
of Barquin four miles southeast of
Bailleul were repulsed early today,
Haig reported
A number of German prisoners
were taken in minor operations last
night southeast Of Robecq.
The Capture Of 5aiIleul.
$50. yBy William Phillip Simms)
With the British Armies in the
Field, April 16.-The Germans are in
Bailleul
General Won Stettin's fresh troops
attacked from the south while Won
Carlowitz sent storm troops north
past the city on the east, simultane-
ously assaulting Ravetsburg which is
in the southernmost chain of numer-
Gus hill ridges within the lowlands
Of Flanders.
Heavy Fighting for IS Miles.
Several fresh divisions were swept
against Bailleul itself. With the
rushing up. Of reenforcements Hin
denburg attacked heavily from Mer.
vile to Eglise on front of about If
teen miles.
heavy trench mortar barrage pre-
coded the capture of Bailleul. The
attacking forces included German
Alpine Corps, that of the nth and
18th divisions.
British Lines Not Broken.
The last three divisions followed
UP the German barrage between Bail
leul and Neuye Eglise before which
the British lines were bent but not
broken
:, Bailleul was taken during the night.
North of Merville the enemy attacked
with strong force against British pc.
sitions on the eastern edge of the
Nieppe forest.
Other Attacks Fail.
The attacking forces on the south.
ern TANKS were caught under the
British shell fire and they were un-
able to progress. On the northern
flank they developed their attack but
it was later smashed before they
reached their objective and they
were thrust back on Bailleul
The fighting began early in the
4 night which was one of pitchy black
ness.
Huns Smelling British Lines.
On the Somme battle front Won
Morwitz's artillery was speeding up,
showing the German second army
was crystalized with guns, There
was considerable Smelling Of villages
behind the British lines this after
noon.
Fighting Preceded and Followed.
With the British Armies in France,
April 16.---A fierce attack with fresh
troops on the unhappy town Of Ball
leul appeared to be successful, fol
lowing upon the ~recapture OF Neuve
Eglisc by the Germans. Hard fight
ing. preceded and followed the aban-
donment Of Bailleul by the British.
The loss of Neuve. Eglise sealed the
doom OF Bailleul.
Wytschaete Is the Pivot.
Tho priticb wara etill pivotinp m