Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-27

Kemmei Hill, a height which has been looked upon as the key to the southern side of the Ypres salient and 'tne or the most important strategic positions on the northern battle front in france. has been taken by the Ger mans. After a defense which will be- come one of the heroic chapters of the war the hill was surrounded and the French forces entrenched on its slopes were overcome. The loss of the hill. which Is admit led in an official statement by Gener- ,lsi Delma Radcliffe, chief director Of military operations at the British war office, brings to the allies realiza- ton that the whole Ypress position is in peril from the German drive northward from the lowlands lying to the west of Armetieres.
 Teutons Launched Terrific Attacks. The Teutons launched terrific at tacks along the whole Wytschaete- Baiileul- Meteren line Wednesday, ap- parently for the purpose of finding a point which might yield. They evident ly found the spot in thes section of the front held jointly by the British and French troops: and against it they hurled fresh divisions which fought their way forward all day Thursday un.il at nightfall they had surrounded Kemmel Hill and isolated the French troops holding the position.
 Fioht Went on All Night.
 AT night long the fight went or and it wzs nc. until Friday that the Csermens succeeded in storming up the slopes of the height.
 The less Of Kemmel -Hiii is serious for 1t overlocls much of the lowlands lying back Of the allied lines in the Wires salient. The hill is ASA feet ir height. rising from low lands on tht south and e1st. l. is six miles south west Of Ypres and three miles west o Wytschaete.
 This German success cuts a deer notch in the allied line to the, south west os Tyres and completely outfianl1 the British on the northern slopes o Messines Ridge, to which they wer' Q forced by the German assaults of tw' weeks ago. The line to the south west, toward Bailleul, apparently is il no particular danger at present, al though the village of Dranoutre hai been lost to the enemy.
 Important Position.
 So important is the possession o Kemmel Hin that the allies mus launch A a counter-attack to recap ture it, and the French have begun savage attack on the height If tn Germans continue to hold it and eithe consolidate their lines or push on, tn allies win be at a great disadvantag in future engagements.
 The latest reports from the seen Of the battle are that the German are attacking on a line from La Clyt te to the Ypres- Confines Canal l. Clytte is about mile and a half mort of Kernmel Hill and is six and a ha % miles west of the Ypres-C Confines Can al. which runs almost due south froI Ypres.
 The evident purpose of this attac is 10 roll up the allied position sout of Yprcs and force a retirement froi that war-tortured town. The pos ton of the Germans is such that on the sternest defense will avail check their theatening advance
 British Hold ViIIers- -Bretonneux.
 At other points along the battle lir the Germans have made import.l gains. At ViIlers- -Bretonneux the Sri ish have held their lines and comple ca the work of clearing out the Ia German positions on the ground he before the German attack on Wet nesday, but HanEard is apparently st
 
 have forged ahead just to the nort Of this village and are reported have launched attacks on the town -achy, without however having O. ,upied the place.
 Further south. immediately north 1astel. the Germans have penetrat' the village of Hailles and are in DO session of FIJI S2. south of the Vi lage. The French have counter-a tackled on this front and regain' ground.
 Bitter Fighting on the Somne.
 A no other points has the enen advaD'ed, although bitter fightfl has been going on in several sectors both the Somme and Armentieres ba tie areas.
 There have been artillery duels various points along the French fro to the south of the Somme. as we'll positions further south. Only the usu patrol engagements have been repor cd from the Italian front
 BRITISH TANKS HAVE