The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-29
GERMAN ADVANCE
ON ARRAS SECTOR
WAS NOT HELD
Fighting On This, Line Has
Been Bitter, With Results
Entirely With Brit
ish Defenders
BY the Associated Press

With the British Army in
France, March 2S.-Another
sector of the front was added
to the north end Of the new
battle line today, when the
Germans attacked heavily on
both sides of the Scarpe to-
wards Arras. Bitter fighting
took place from Gavrelle, on
the north, to Boyelles, below
the river, and in some sections
the Germans succeeded in go
ing forward somewhat in the
face Of desperate resistance.
Whether the enemy was really max
ing serious threat against the hat
tie SCARED city of Arras cannot yet be
said, but it is patent that ms n diver
sion. which might prevent the Brit
ish from moving troops and guns
| southward to the main battlefront. 1t
would be Of advantage to the Ger
mans, who have not yet got their ar
tfl1ery forward.
FARTHER south, astride the Somme.
there are indications that another in
tense conflict is imminent The Germans
this morning were advancing from the
neighborhood Of Brey, while south or
here the British are conducting opera
tons in the direction of Sainy-Laurette
and Proyart
All along the British front there is
heavy fighting. The assault opposite Ar
ras was preceded by a heavy enemy
bombardment. which began early in the
/ morning. The Germans directed their
infantry drives toward the high ground
represented by Orange. Hill and Tele-
graph Hill, near Arras, both OF which
were the scenes Of desperate engage
ments during the battle Of Arras
FIGHTING is BITTER
The lighting on Telegraph Hill, just
below the Scarpe. was particularly bit
covered with swirling masses OF British
and Germans. battling at close quarters
! The fighting yesterday in the north
centered about Boisleux st. Mare. Ayette,
Courcelles and Ablainzeville Here the
Germans made a succession Of heavy as
saults for the purpose of obtaining high
| ground, but in each case the attacking
infantry either came against a stone
wall defense or was immediately thrown
To- 80
| At least six attacks were delivered dur.
ling the day by the Germans and the en-
| gagements here resulted In virtually NJ
change in the situation. The enemy los
heavily In men. The Germans are still
rusing up artillery for continuance o.
the battle, but in some sections the gun.
are coming forward somewhat slowly
Prisoners say that food supplies also arr
coming up badly, because Of the length
ening of communications.
BRITISH AIRMEN ACTIVE
4 Certainly no small part of the German
difnculty in getting guns. troops ant
supplies forward has been due to thu
marvellous work of the British airmer
since the inception of the battle Thu
British aviators have waged such III
tense warfare over tho enemy territor,
! that the Germans have been forced t.
abandon some Of the highways and EN-
! ploy roundabout routes. A striking ex
ample OF this is the ert-Bapaumt
road, which Is one Of the main arterie.
ana which the Germans are compelled
to avoid.
1 The British, pilots have been bombins
| somme battle ground continuously. ant
livery heavy casualties have been inflicted
on the German infantry. cavalry and
1 transport by these intrepid low fiyina
fighters. The battles In the air have
| been innumerable and in these the Brit.
| ish airmen have maintained the upper
hand throughout.
| me bravery and skill Of the British
| flyers is illustrated well by two rather
ordinary battles which took place yes
terday. One british fighter, whsn At
(Ce.ti,.ss :. rsss rws)