Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-16
STRUGGLE FOR STRATEGIC
SPUR OF MESSINES RIDGE
New Assault South of Arras Nav
Come With Parrying of
Blows Struck.
PERsHTNG'S MEN STAND FIRM
Americans Break Up Repeated En-
cmy Attacks With Deadly Fire
in Toul Sector.
fRv Associated rrcr

by Associated Press
Another attack on the unhappy town
Of Baillcul appeared to DC boiling up
yesterday. following upon the recap
ture of Neuvc Eglise by the Germans
Sunday night. Hard lighting was pro.
ccedins yesterday morning in the Bail
ieul sector, but up to - NJ. the enemy
had net begun the big onslaught, which
was expected
Seven days after the Germans
launched their gigantic assault against
the British lines between Lens and
fprcs. the momentum OF their attack
has been broken, and the waves of
the Tcutonic forces arc recoiiinC before
the rock of tho british defense. While
the Germans have made gains OF ground
and have driven n wedge into the allied
lines 10 considerable depth, they
seem TO have failed in their attempt
to break through or take important
railroad functions.
bri'rERLY FOUGHT ACTIONS
At -FOUR POINTS on LINE
During the last day there have been
bitterly fought engagements at four
places, all on the northern side of tho
salient. TO the south OF Yprca. Seven
assaults against the British trenches
at AlerVillc, near the apex OF the tri-
angular dent in the British line have
been hurled back by the British Ncuvc
tS Iisc. on the extreme southwestern
spur OF Messines ridge. has been taken
oy IN" fcrmans after Il struggle which
VII! go into history as one OF the great
est of the past week
The British, however have not re-
tired far. and it is probable that they
VIII at once organize a countcrattacll
to force the Germans out OF the town.
which, II held. might be 4 Kicking
OIL point for an attack which might
outtlank and make untcnable Messinrs
ridge. the key TO the British positions
about fpres. Bailleul and Wulverghem,
between Neuvc Eglisc and Merville.
also have been the scenes of hard
hghting, but except for Neuvc Eglise.
the northern side OF the salient has
stood firm. On the southern side OF the
salient. according to Berlin. fierce
struggles have been fought
LOOK FOR NEW ASSAULT
SOMEWHERE SOUTH OF ARRAs
1t has been the German plan of cam
paisn since March 81. when the great
offensive started. to strike hard at
some particular sector, and il that blow
was parr;ed to turn powerfully against
some new point This procedure prob
ably will be followed in the next Few
days by new assault somewhere south
of Arras. An attack north of Yprcs
Is hardly possible, for the lowlands OF
Belgium arc as yet too water logged to
permit active operations. An attack
on Arras would entail the hurting ot
troops against Eimy ridge. the labyrinth
and other formidable military works
protecting that city
IL may be that the savage fighting
reported at HanEard- en- -Santerrr. south
o. Albert and on the center OF the line
facing Am!cns, may mark the begin
nIns OF new attempt TO sweep west
ward toward .Amiens. SO far. the fight
ms mas brought the Germans only
losses in men and ground Further
south. near Montdidier, there has been
intense artillery firing. but the. Ger
mans have not attempted infantry oper-
atoms in this important sector
BRITISH RETAKE ARREWAGt.,
'-'DA''" HUN DEAD
The British Sunday recapturcd Are
wage, Just east CT the Nieppc forest.
rms whole area is reported fun OF
-'crman dead who had fallen In the
hard lighting. South OF here, at Cor
net Ma!o, east of st. Floris, the Ger
mans delivered four fierce attacks Al.
we're repuljed with heavy losses 10 the
attacking troops.
The lighting here has been contin-
ious. and the British are holding Cor
rct Malo. with machine guns trained
from house windows. These rapid
ircrs have done great execution IL,
lie enemy's ranks. Al one time the
.nemy got = foothold in the hamlet.
out this advantage was short-iived. COR
he machine gunners got in on ,hs
!dvancing troops and smashed them
BADLY
The Importance which the Germans
lttach to Bai,ieul had added conNryna-
ion on Saturday night when troop
we're sent into the attack with ordees
hat they must capture the Mcterenc-
8aiileul highway at all costs. They
'aid in advance. but did not gel ~ha.