New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-28
Haig's Troops Move
Within 212 Miles
of Objective.
FRENCH PUSH
ON CHAULNES
Wipe Out Salient and Pre-
pare to Pocket
Fortress.
tBy Gable 70 The Tribune J

forces on the Somme not only have
held every inch of ground won in
the tremendous attack yesterday,
but have swung forward to fresh
successes.
After hurling back the expected
counter attacks Of the Germans, both
Haig and Foch extended their posi-
tions. The British pressed nearer
Bapsume in smashing attack that
overwhelmed German trenches on a
front Of 1000 yards near Eaucourt-
PAbbays, north of Flers, and re-
suited in the capture of a powerful
redoubt northeast of Thiepval.
A brilliant assault by the French
resulted in the seizure Of strongly
fortified wood east of Vermando-
villers and the wiping out of a sail
ent that had long protyuded into
the French lines at that point. After
repulsing the German counter blows
along the Peronne- Bapaume high
way south Of Bouchavesnes the
French also renewed the attack in
the sector around Rancourt and sue
ceeded in pushing further TO the east
of that town and penetrating the
St. Pierre Vast wood, east OF
Fregicourt.
Peronne Faces EncircIement.
These gains all mark further prog
ress in the methodical and per-
fectly coordinated campaign of the
Allied forces against the two great
detectives still holding out. Steadily
the French are moving toward the
positions northeast Of Peronne from
which the pocketing process that
overwhelmed Combles may be re-
peated. To-day's French advance
east and northeast of Rancourt rep
resented big step toward this end.
The new French drive east Of
Vermandovillers aims TO surround
Chaulnes, just as Combles was sur
rounded to the north. Two miles
south of this stronghold and less
than that distance north Of il the
French are now entrenched and pre-
pairing for a smashing advance that
will pocket the town.
The British are continuing the un-
ceasng hammering at the enemy's lines
south of Bapaume. and every hour are
moving nearer their goal. From lie
Sars 20 Gueudecourt the battle is rag
ing with undated fury, and the two
and half miles of ground that seps-
rates the British forces from Bapaume
is steadily being cut down. II was in
the exact centre Of this stretch Of terri
tory that Haig's troops smashed for
ward to-day.
Germans Can't Stay Advance.
Everywhere along the Picardy front
the last German defences have come
within range of the Allied artillery,
and at many points field operations OBJ
tain. Desperately the Germans are try
ing to construct new fortifications un-
der fire, but the forward sweep Of the
British and French troops is proving
irresistible.
All accounts from the front indicate
that the Allies forward movement
yesterday is regarded as the most i'm
portant strategic success OF the entire
offensive. In the extent of ground won,
in the effect Of the victory on the plans
OF the Allies and Germans and in its
moral effect on both sides II ranks, in
the unanimous opinion Of officers and
observers alike, as the most crushing
blow the Germans have received in q
year of fighting.
Germans Discount Victory.
The German press. while admitting
that the Allies have won tactical gain,
consoles the people with the statement
that "Hindenburg has not sweryed a
hairs breath from the calm course he
had laid" At the same time the phrase
in the German official communication
"we are obliged to admit the success
obtained by our adversaries" shows
that official circles in Berlin are aware
that the Allies are everywhere gaining
the upper hand.
Reports from the British fronts to-
day announced the capture Of between
5000 and 1000 prisoners by Hsig'S
forces in the last two days. The French
captures bring this total up to more
than 5000. The total bag Of the Allies