The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-04-15
BRITISH DRIVE
BACK ATTACKS
IN FLANDERS
Town of Neuve EgIise Remains
in the Hands of Haig's
Men.
ALLIED Line STILL INTACT
Heavy Fighting Continues Along Lys
Battle Front--Eneish Repulse
Four Strong Attacks-French
Take Prisoners

London, April 1.-THE British are
holding their line in Flanders in the
face of the bitterest fighting of the
war.
Thousands of Germans, hurled for
ward without thought of the cost in
lives, are failing in the effort to break
the front.
An example of the fercenesS of the
battle is given by the contest for
Neuve Eglise. For the last thirty-six
hours this town, which is of great
strategic value, has been the center
of a swirling mass Of men in attack
and cOunter-attack. The British still
hold the town.
Slight Advances Won.
Further west along the high lands
the Germans, according to the report
issued in Berlin, have taken Neuwer-
kerke, to the southwest of Wuverg-
hem.
The German official report also re-
lated that the kaiser's troops have
taken Merris and VieuX Bercquin,
which lie at the extreme northwest
point of the bulge which the enemy
has forced in the front. This repre-
sents but slight advance for the en-
emy.
On the southern side of the wedge
the Germans attempted to storm the
British lines in the neighborhood of
Festubert. Their effort was in vain
Fighting was resumed on the north
ern part of the front during the night
near Neuve Eglise and the engagement
In this sector was continued by the
launching of new enemy attacks in
the neighborhOOd of Bailleuil.
Strong attacks by the Germans on
the -Wulvergaem line were re-
pulsed by the British alter heavy fight
ing.
Early in the night the enemy's f urth,
attack of the day upon Neuve Eglise
was repulsed.
The Germans also were beaten off
In an attempt against the British de-
fenses near Festubert, on the souther-
ly side of the Lys front.
Germans Repulsed by British.
The British official report says:
London, April 15.-"After heavy
fighting lasting throughout the evening
strong attacks Launched by the enemy
from Meteren to Wulverghem were re-
pulsed.
AT the close of many hours of OBJ
stinate fighting during the night again
in the morning about Neuve Eglise our
troops remained in possession of the
village. The enemy's attacks in this
sector have been pressed with great
determination and his losses through.
out have been heavy.
"An attack commenced by the en-
emy early in the morning in the neigh.
bOrhOOd of Bailleul was repulsed by
our troops, and another hostile attack
which developed later in the morning
In the neighborhoOd of Merris was
equally unsuccessful.
During the morning hostile infan-
try also attempted an attack north
west of Merville, but was caught and
dispersed by our artillery.
'"The hostile artillery has been more
active in the neighbOrhOOd of Albert"
early in the night the enemy again
attacked at Neuve Eglise for the
fourth time during the day, and once
more was repulsed.
The enemy renewed his attempts to
gain possession of the village, and the
fighting continues.
"In addition to the attacks already
reported the enemy made deter.
mined attempt against our defenses in
the neighbOrhocd of Festubert and was
beaten Off
"On this portion of the battle front
and nOrthwestward as far as LOGON
numerous bodies Of hostile troops were
effectively engaged during the evening
at short range by our infantry and
artillery fire.
"At the end of the day of continuous
fighting and frequent assaults, many
of them delivered with great strength
on all parts of the Lys battle front,
our line was reported % be intact
1.-The enemy's losses throughout Sat
urday's fighting are reported to have
been most severe.
"In the course Of the night fighting
was renewed at Neuve Eglise and the
enemy recommended his attacks in the
neighborhoOd of Bailleuil. Fighting is
| continuing on this front"
French Penetrate Hun Lines.
Paris, April 15.-"The activity of the
artillery was somewhat lively between
| Montdidier and NOyon. French recon.
noitering parties operating in this re-
gion brought in prisoners.
"North of st. Mihiel and in Lor-
raine, in the region of Embermenil
and Bures the French penetrated the
| German Lines and took half score
of prisoners.
"The French repulsed tentative raids
! by the Germans north of Hill 304
(Verdun 'front.', in the region of st.
Mihiel, in the Woeyre and at Col ou
BOnhomme."