The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-04-13

 forest.
 Repused in their efforts to regain ridge tho putting most of their strength toward widening the salient south of Armeneres evident attempt to ouank the hill positions and gain important railroad centers Baeul northwest of Armeneres and west of the southern end of the Messnes ridge Hazebrouck and Aire toward which the Germans endeavorng to push home their attacks also important railroad bases.
 DIE RATHER THAN RETREAT
 Field Marshal Hag like Marshal Jofe at the battle of the Mane has called to his soldiers to stand firm and die rather than give up position to the enemy Military observers and Maj Gen. Maurice agree that crisis has been reached here must be retirement" Field Hag says appeal French forces rapidly coming to the aid of the British and gigantic and most sangunary struggle probably will be acted on the owIands between Lille and St. Omer.
 With the British Army in France, Friday April l2 the Associated PressWh the exception of Merve the Ger far have not reached their obecves part the drive north and south Armentere captured Ger document reveals that there be three smashes the front north and south of Anenieres One had Baleu its main objective the other Mervle and Ae, and the third Behune.
 Not less than 28 divisions had employed by enemy in this preenous program which meant that at places the British have been very heavily outnumbered German division aggregates 430O0 14O0O including 7OO rifles | BRITISH ARE FORCED BACK
 St Venan between Mervile and Aire heavily attack ed today by strong Germans last night which gave them possession of Mere The enemy desirous of reaching Ar railroad center and throwing large numbers of troops into the conflict attempt to drive the British back The threat this direction undoubtedly is of considerable importance
 The fighting today continued be the btterest nature not only in the Mervle neighborhood where the assault was made, but also northward from Givenchy.
 Yesterday and last night the continued his from Wytschaee southward anad gradually forced the British to fall back from Ploegsteer and Poegseert battle staged today Neuve Eglise, to the west
 In the meantime steady pressure mantaineq in the Estaries sector beyond which lay Merve and Are During the night the pushed back the defenses Lesrem captured Caonne Lys just southwest of Merve At the time they pressed down through Neuf Berqun little above Merve and these two conyerng forces hurled them selves on the town.
 q NO CESSATION IN FIGHTING
 Giving before greater numbers the British fell back toward St. Venant fighting doggedy all the way against the closely pressing Germans sangunary battle proceeding today east of St. Venant with the British making determined stand During the night the British center attacked Steenwerck west of Armenere and reoccuped Bacque after hard fighting.
 The German attack about Gvenchy, on the southern end of the battle n pressed today by nine divisions There has been virtually cessation the fighting the beginning of the battle Tuesday, British have maintained stone wall defense against which the have flung themselves with heavy losses Today the casualty list of the attacking troops sweed appangy the Brit sh artillery and machine guns pounded concentration points = and troops advancing in close formation v GALLANT STAND AT GTVENCHY e The work of the British gunners at Gvenchy has been noteworthy On the first day. when the Germans swept for ward in and the situation very grave many art ery worked for hours shooting point black at close range One gunnery sergeant stood by his piece firing with open sights at range of 200 yards and held off for consider able time the enemy before he compelled to fall y back.
 The Brlsh troops who nave been making such gallant stand just above Gvenchy also distinguished themselves by holding the Germans up for hours at certain point in the battle before Camba Nov 30 when the enemy counter tackled.
 became known today that of the 75O captured Gvenchy last Tuesday, 300 rounded while e ing their energies to footing British canteen. T. STRONG ATTACK IS LAUNCHED The Germans made attack last night of Mervlle the northern battle front and repulsed the London war office
 The British advanced slightly the neighbor- lboOd dof Fncu nd OOLa fnIun nriCo0
 There heavy fighting last evening Neuve Eglse and Wuverghem the battle here still progress at 54 late hour last night
 Strong enemy launched attack early last night Locon and succeeded in entering the British lines tain points, but eected by attacks attempted later in the night at the place beaten off,
 south the British and French ronns