South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-16
GERMANS ACHIEVE
LOCAL OBJECTIVE.
international News Service


International News Service:
LONDON. April 16.-BaiueuiL
one of the local detectives OF the
Germans on the Flanders battle
front. has been taken by the Teu-
tons, the British war office reported
today
Ever since last Saturday morning
the Germans had been throwing
huge forces of troops against Bail
leuil.
The attacks were concentrated
along the Hazebrouck railway in the
sector of Merris and east of Neuye
Eglise. The Germans hoped by these
thrusts TO create a twin salient and
pocket" Bailleun, just as they did
al Armentieres.
(Bailleun lies about six miles
northwest of Armentieres and be-
tween eight and nine miles from the
great railway and highway center Of
Haze brouck.)
1t is expected that the Germans
Will now begin TO direct their chief
pressure toward Hazebr0uck The
tattle line ia the Merris sector is
still about f.e miles from Haze
brouck.
BailleuiI had been under German
artillery fire for several days and its
loss by the British is not regarded as
highly important from a military
standpoint
Fresh German attacks are de-
Neloping at Nytscahete Gin Bel
gium) the official report added.
CWytscahete lies between six and
seven miles north Of Armentieres in.
the sector Of the Nessines ridgeJ
Picked Divisions Attack.
The German attacks around Bail
leUil were delivered by three picked
divisions After desperate struggles
in which the British distinguished
themselves by their brilliant de-
fynse. the Teutons succeeded IN
gaining high ground east and
southeast of the town
The British retired 10 previously
prepared positions. Under heavy ar
ullery FIRE fresh German attacks
began southwest OF NieuXberquin.
but were repulsed.
Southeast Of Robecq, the British
conducted successful minor opera
tions in which they captured a NUM-
Der Of prisoners.
Official Report.
The official report follows
Preceded by an intense bonn
bardment the Germans very heavily
attacked out positions last night be-
tween Bailleuu and Neuve Eglise.
The assault was delivered by three
picked divisions. not previously en-
gagged, and succeeded after furious
struggle. in carrying the high
ground east and southeast of Bail
leun called Mont Delile and \euls-
berg
"Our troops retired 20 new posi-
tons north Of Mont Delile and Wul-
verghem Baineuil fell into the
hands Of the enemy.
The Germans attacked also
southwest Of Nieuxberuuin under
heavy artillery fire and fire from
trench mortars. bur Were reuUised.
We captured number OF prisoners
during the night in successful minor
operations southeast Of Eobecq.'
British Reinforced.
The British troops in Belgium.
having been reinforced. have COM
menced q series OF strong c0Inte-
blows and it is believed that the
Germans will soon be pushed out OF
Neuve Eglise
Hindenburg strategy for the inc
mediate future is % exert the ut-
most pressure against the British
left flank in an effort 90 break into
both BailleuiI and Hazebrouck and
shake the British hold upon the key
positions OF Messines ridge and
Passchendaele ridge. respectively
south ard east 81 Tyres.
The German war office j. getting
more and more moderate in its
claims which is absolute proof that
their drive has been halted all along
the line.
The German official statement is-
sued on Monday night spoke q
local engagements" ln which gain
was claimed northeast of WulFers-
hem.
CTuIvershem is hve miles north