Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-14
BRITISH FORCE
HUNS TO QUIT
NEUVE EGL|SE
Enemy Battalions Push For
ward From Messines to
Wulverghem Outskirts.
FAIL TO MAKE PROGRESS
IN DIRECTION OF BETHUNE
Desperate Fighting Continues
Northeast and Southeast
Of Bailleul.
TErTONs ABANDON HANGARD
Americans Aid in Rcpciling Another
Prussian .ittack in Sector
Northwest OF Toul.
FAIL TO MAKE PROGRESS
IN DIRECTION OF BETHUNE
TErToNs ABANDON HANGARD
americans Aid in Rcpciling Another
russian ATTACK in Sector
Northwest OF TouI.


French troops nave made an advance
oi several hundred meters on front
OF about two thirds oc mile north
vest OF orvile-Sorcl \ German at
tack in tho Noyon sector was rcpelled
with heavy losses to the enemy.
In the heavy lighting in Flanders the
British have succeeded in driving the
Germans out OF Neuvc Eglise, which
village they had entered Friday nigh,
Field Marshal HaiG's forces held firmly
despite determined enemy assaults
southeast of Baillcul. whcro the enemy
is trying hard TO widen the point OF
its salient into the British positions
The latest German repor; of the
lighting in this area says that the
troops OF Won Hindcnburs have pushed
forward from Mcssines to the outskirts
ct WulvcrGhcm.
BRITISH DEFENSE CHECKS
DRIVE SOUTH OF LYS RIVER
StiffeninG British resistance, hass
checked the German drive southwark
from the Lys toward Bcthune and west
ward from Mcrvillc toward TIazcbroucs
near the Belgian border. The enemy
pressure is continuing with great
weight toward the north, and desper.
ate battling is in progress along the
line running southwest from Messinos
TO the south OF Baillcul.
The whole Yprcs salient and the con.
tinucd safety of the channel ports are
pointed to by observers abroad as at
stake in the lighting now under way.
lIazcbrouck and Bailleul, important
railway ccntcrs, arc vital feeding points
Tor Mcssines ridge and the Yprcs posi-
tion in general.
GERMANS STOPPED AT
FOREST OF SIEPPE
So far as Hazcbrouclt is concerned
the Germans have been held for the
time, at least. on the edge of the forest
of Nicppc west Of Mcrviilc, and some
five miles away from their objectivc.
The Germans have been battcring
away at the British line here since
they captured Merville on Wednesday
night but have advanced only a few
hundred yards. being stopped short~of.
the forest which is about mile and
IA half beyond Mcrville.
Little additional lish; was thrown
alton around Bailicul, to which the
Germans had worked very close In
Fridays fighting. II was revealed.
however. mat the enemy was attack
ing heavily 10 the northeast o: Bail
lcu!. between il and Messines. The
British are on comparatively high
ground here. and the reports did not
Indicate that the Germans were max
ing much progress.
on the southcriy side OF the wedge
which the Germans nave driven in be-
tween La Bassec and Armentieres, the
British resistance was notably stiff
Rethune has beer threatened by the
push in this direction. The enemy
twice attacked LOGON, on this line
about three miles north o. Bethune,
but each time was repulsed. the second
time more easily than the first. The
British also held firmly around
GivencHy. on their right flank. and ad-
vanccd their line by capturing an i'm
portans German post in this REGION
IMPROVEMENT IN POSITIONS
on SOMME FRONT
There was an Improvement also in
the allied positions on the Somme bat
tie front. The Germans had gained a
footing in Hangard en- -Santerre south
east or Amiens. in an attack on Friday,
but combined drive by the British
and French during the night at the
point where their lines join on the
River Luce, near I1angard, restored the
situation. putting the French again In
complete possession OF the village.
Meanwhile. the American forces arc
contributing notably to the mainten-
nnce OF the line on sectors OF the
French front to the southeast Tho
men in the sector northwest OF Tou,
added TO their laureIs las, night by ,
repellinS, In conjunction with the
French, another German attack on tbs
positions in Bruac wood. in the forest
OF Apremont, east OF 81. M!hiel Aa
counterattack was launched, and tho
Germans were thrown out of the posi-
tion at point where they had gained
footing.
Details Of the repulse or Fridays two
attacks upon the Americans in thin
sector show that during the fighting.
which lasted virtually all day, the
American troops inflicted heavy easu-
aities on the enemy and took thirty i
six prisoners. They suffered few casu-