Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-05-15
Big GUNS ROAR
IN CHAMPAGNE
German Activity Opens in New
Sector; Shell Others in FIan-
ders and Picardy.
ALLIES RAID HUN POSITIONS
Frsnoh Patrols Carry Out Operations
North Of Hanoard and British Sue
coed In Raid Northeast OF
Robecq in Flanders.

C0S0 IN nAlO NOrSOSOSS "
Robeeq in Flanders.
London, May 15.-Ths total Of Brit
fsh casualties reported In the Weel
ending Tuesday, May IA, is 41,612
They are divided as follows:
Killed or died Of wounds: Officers
sol; men, 5,O65. Wounded or missing
Officers, 2,133; men, 33,a28.
Paris, May Is. - Heavy artiller,
fighting in the Champagne is reported
in the official statement. Only patrO
actions occurred on the main battle
front in Picardy. The announcement,
follows:
"French patrols carried out opera
lions north Of Hangard on the front
before Amiens, near Courcy and west
Of the Meuse, bringing back prisoners
We easily repulsed a German raid Oh
small French posts northwest Of
Orvillers-Sorel.
'The artillery fighting was rather
spirited in the Champagne, neal
Butte du Mesnil, and in the Vosges. A
German local attack north Of La Fecht
was repulsed by our fire."
Violent Artillery Fire.
London, May ,15.-German artillery
fire was violent in the Somme and
Ancre sectors, says the official state
ment from Field Marshal Haig. The
statement follows:
I'VE carried out a successful raid
at night northeast of Robecq (Flan'
ders) and captured a few prisoners
without casualties to ourselves. A
party Of the enemy which attacked
one Of our posts west of Merville was
repulsed with loss.
'The hostile artillery was active
during the night in the Somme and
Ancre sectors"
Huns Take Full Time.
Committed to a continuation OF
heavy fighting on the western 'front.'
the Germans apparently are taking
their full time before beginning an.
other forward operation on the line
from Scissors north to the Belgian
coast. In two weeks the enemy has
made only one determined attack, and
this was repulsed by the allied forces
southwest Of Ypres.
Along the vital sectQgs Of the sa'
Iepts driven by the Germans since
March 81 the enemy artillery has been
active, but there are no signs Of re-
newed infantry activity in strength
North Of KENNEL, around Serre, on
the line between Albert and Arras and
on the southern end Of the British
line across the SOmme and on the
French sector Immediately south the
German big guns are hurting thou
sands of shells into the, allied posi-
lions. FEistlt5sa5t ASsE
British Gain Air Victories.
Allied airmen are taking advantage
Of every opportunity to invade enemy
territory. Many more tons Of bombs
have been dropped on important rail
way centers and other military targets
behind the German lines in Flanders
and Picardy.
In aerial fighting the British have
brought down six more enemy ma
chimes. While British naval airmen
bomb the German submarine bases at
Zeebrugge and Ostend, army flyers
continue the aerial bombardment of
Bruges.
Huns Massed for New Drive.
With the British Armies in France,
May 15.-While the German high com.
mand is completing preparations for
the third and, perhaps, the biggest
thrust of all, sinister silence spreads
along the battle lines.
Six weeks have passed since the
combined drive of the German and
Bavarian crown princes was checked
on both sides Of the Somme and COM
paratively little ground has been won
by Won Armin and Won Quasi on the
Lys during the last four weeks. Yet
today more than $50 German divisions,
100000 men, have been used on these
two battle fronts and Hindenburg's
promise to Germany Of quick decision
has gone by the board.
The allies, fighting as one army and
under a single commander, not only
have frustrated the enemy's plans but
have forced an almost complete over
hauling of his entire army and have
necessitated new start.
Hindenburg, obviously forced to
scrap his original plans and build
others, has brought new leaders to the
west front, including Mackensen. and,
according to reports, is concentrating
the German empires output Of brains,
muscle and material.
Meantime, the new lines are curl
ously inactive, although the battlefield
has been unusually dry. Today, how
ever, a cold autumnal drizzle was
drenching the area. The airmen
scarcely left their perches. Frequently
the artillery on one side or both cuts
loose in spasm Of Smelling, but soon
quiets down.
which compare we'll with those made
from the corresponding fours OF
tic, nrnyiIoc