Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 April 1918 — BRITISH LOSE ARMENTIERES; HALT ATTACKS [ARTICLE]

BRITISH LOSE ARMENTIERES; HALT ATTACKS

Haig’s Troops Smash Enemy's Drive for Town of Holebeke in Belgian!. GERMANS ADVANCE FIVE MILES Teutons Reported Near Steenwervfc —Violent Fighting Along Front From lailtassee to Ypres-Comlnes Canal. London, April 12.—-The Germans launched a formidable attack against the Belgian town of Hollebeke, says n Reuter dispatch from British headquarters. They came forward in massed waves, which were completely repulsed with terrible execution. , Foe Weet of Armentleres. The Germans pushed on from Croix du Bac, southwest of Armentleres, and parties of them are reported In tho neighborhood of Steen werck (about five miles west of Armentleres), says another dispatch from the Reuter correspondent at British headquarters. The enemy occupied Lestrem, but Tn the - course of the “afternoon the British drove him out and across tho River La we. The British have withdrawn from Armentleres on the northern battle front, the war oilice announces. The town is reported to be reeking with gas. Violent fighting continues all along the front from La Bassee canal to tho Ypres-Comiries canal. On the front north of Armentleres heavy fighting was continuing. There was litle change in the British positions.

Huns Claim New Gains. Berlin, April 12.—The official communication Issued from general headquarters says the battle near Armentleres Is taking a further favorable course and that the Germans have penetrated into the suburbs of the town. South of Estaltes the Lawe has been crossed at some points. The number of prisoners has increased to considerably more than 10,000, Including a Portuguese general! ' French Fire Halts Foe. Paris, April 12.—A German attack in the Champagne was broken up by the French fire. On tl>e principal battle front there was heavy artillery fighting between Montdldler and Noyon. British Hold Ridge. With the British Army In France and Belgium, April 12.—The fighting continues north of Armentleres with the British still holding Messlnes ridge and Wytschaete, which changed hands several times. During the day the enemy succeeded in entering not only these positions, but La Creche, Nleppe and Hollebeke. Vigorous counter-attacks forced the enemy from all these places. The Germans in the morning were in possession of about half of the village of Pioegsteert and Ploegsteert wood on tiie Flanders battle front Just to the north of Armentleres. Germans Press Attacks. The Germans are particularly desirous of capturing Messlnes ridge and Wytschaete and pressed their attacks there hard throughout the day. Much sanguinqry hand-to-hand fighting occurred at these places, the tide of battle surging back and forth for many hours before the enemy finally abandoned temporarily his attempts here.

Coincident with the attack north of Arinentieres the enemy continued to push nori invest ward from Croix du Bac, below Arinentieres, In order to complete the pocketing of the latter city. . Hard fighting occurred about Estaires and at one time the Germans had a footing in the southern edge of the city. The battle here is still continuing. The enemy artillery was active in the Somme region. Since the announcement that American troops had made their appearance in the sectors occupied by the British there- has been nothing to show that they have actually entered into the battle./ British Are Confident. London, April 12.—A telegram to Reuter’s from British headquarters in France reads: "There is general disposition to consider the situation in Flanders as pretty well in hand and, although fighting Is continuing on a heavy scale, the outlook is viewed with confidence.” '