On April 16 the Germans made their first attempt to turn the Flanders Hills from the south-west in the direction of Hazebrouck.
The French 133rd Infantry Division (Valentin), supported by the British 34th Division, vigorously repulsed the attack.
On the 17th a fresh and more powerful attack was made simultaneously from the north-east, towards Poperinghe, and from the south, on the Bailleul-Neuve-Eglise front.
At the same time an independent operation—which failed completely—was undertaken to the north of Ypres on the Belgian front. The Belgians repulsed the Germans and took 800 prisoners.
To the south three British divisions (34th, 49th, 19th) stayed the German advance.
A last effort, starting from Wytschaete, also broke down before the French 28th Infantry Division (Madelin).
THE GERMANS ATTACK THE CHAIN OF HILLS WHICH PROTECT YPRES