South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-25
BAPAUME is CHIEF
PRIZE FOR WHICH
GERMANS STRUGGLE

CONT NUED FROM PAGE ONE)
has been in the zone Of the FIRE since
early in the war and had been
smashed by the shells which were
poured into it by allied and German
guns. Before the Germans evacuat-
ed Bapaume they were reported 10
have set it or fire, in an effort .
destroy it completely. A number OF
strategic rOadways from Arras,
Combles. Peronne. Douai and Cam
brai converge. there.
Driven out OF Trenches.
At one point north Of Bapaume
the Germans succeeded in gaining
foothold in a British trench sys-
TEN, but were quickly driven out.
The Germans made powerful at
tacks north of Bapaume on sunday
afternoon and Sunday evening. buv
were reDulsed." the war office
stated. only at one point did the
Germans succeed i'm reaching the
British trenches They were imme-
diately elected
AT all other points the attack
ers were stopped before the posi-
tions Of the British. The enemy was
not only driven back, but lost
heavily.
This morning the Germans re-
newed their assaults in the Bapa-
ume sector and fresh fighting de
veloped there. A number of the at
lacks were made south of Bapaume
Forces of Germans that had
crossed the SOmme river south OF
Peronne between Licourt and PriX
were driven back across the stream
Ly British counter thrusts."
Germans Reinforced.
Fresh German reinfOrcements
have been arriving in the battle zone
continuously since the offensive was
launched between the Scarpe and
Disc rivers on Thursday.
1t is now estimated that the Ger
mans have between 90 and 100 di-
visions at their disposal along this
line of carnage.
A mighty struggle for possession
of Bapaume. about y miles north
Of Peronne developed all SUNDAY.
The Germans made savage efforts
10 take the British defences by
storm. but were met with stout
hearted resistance. There, as else
where in the zone of fighting the
Germans suffered tremendous loss
es under the raking machine gua
and artillery fire of the British.
Claim Advance Of % Miles.
An advance over a front of about
% miles on Sunday was claimed 10y
the German war office. Perrin also
reported the capture OF upwards OF
So 600 prisoners. 500 guns and
enormous booty.
CThese figures constitute the total
captures on the first four days %
the German driveD
Chauny, Peronne and Ham were
occupied by the Germans and 1t was
estimated today that, at some
points. the Teutons had succeeded an
advancing about half the way aero s.
the district devastated 10y the Ger
mans when they made their big re-
treat in the spring Of 1917.
Chauny is on the Disc river. seven
miles southwest Of La Fere am
about FIVE miles back Of the OLD
battle line. II is situated on the road
to COmpeigne, the gateway 10
Paris
Confidence Remains.
Despite the official admission OF
British retirements and reports o.
the Unprecedented masses Of artil-
lerv that the Germans have sue
ceeded in concentrating i'm front OF
the British. the confidence Of the
British and French nations remains
mistaken Even the news that the
Germans have succeeded in con-
structing a gun with a range Of 70
miles. with which Paris was bona
barded. has failed 10 weaken in any
way the stalwart morale of the Ar
glo-French nations
That American troops should Pc
given an opportunity 20 help the al
lied cause in the mightiest battle of
all time gave a thrill Of pride OF
Americans in London today.
According 20 the German war Of
fee reserve Of French and Amer
lean troops were used on the
Bapaume- Bouchevesnes line where
the British third and fourth armies
were being hard pressed by over