Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-22
SWEEP FORWARD
IN ATTACK OVER
32-M|LE FRONT
One of Most Rapid and Spec
/ tacular Drives Of
War.
/ TROOPS NOW ARE WITHIN
GUN RANGE OF CAMBRAl
Latest Advices Indicate Haig's
Men Arc Pressing Ahead
for Further Conquest
GERMANS TAKEN BY SURPRISE
Thousands OF Prisoners and Guns
Flowing In, and Many lmnor-
tant Positions Captured.
TROOPS NOW ARE WITHIN
GUN RANGE OF CAMBRAl
GERMANS TAKEN BY SURPRISE
Thousands OF Prisoners and Gun.
Flowing In. and Many lmnor-
tant Positions Captured.

Ey Associated PrcsS.I
The great HindcnburE defense line,
upon which tho German commander
in chief had buildcd his hopes Of hold
ing the British from inroads into the
open territory beyond. has been smash
cd. And the task pparcn,ly was an
easy ono.
Attacking over A front OF thirty-two
miles. extending from tho Scarpc River
east Of Arras to 81. Quentin. Field
Marshal llaig. with his Eng lish scotch,
Irish aud Welsh troops. has made ons
OF the most rapid and spectacular
drives Of the present war. catching the
Germans completely by surprise in tho
onslaught, capturing numerous posi-
tions which were regarded as imprcE-
nablc. and taking in addition thous-
ands OF prisoners and numerous guns
The apex of tho offensive apparently
is ccntcrcd on tho important railway
junction of Cambrai. lying to the cast
OF the old line. midway between Arras
and st. Quentin. Here, having taken
tho towns OF Marcoing. Anneux. Grain.
court and Novelties. the victorious
troops at last accounts were we'll with
in gun range of Cambria. with its rail-
road lines and roadways branching out
toward all the main points OF the cam
pass,
The latest adviccS Indicate that the
British have not yet ceased their at
tack. but aided by monster tanks. which
arc leading the way, followed by in
fantry and machine gun dctachmcnts.
are pressing forward for further con-
quest.
FRENCH FORCES ALSO
BEGIN AN OFFENSIVE
Simultaneously, to the south around
ST. Quentin and east OF that point In
tho AiSnc region. tho French have
begun an offensive. While no details
Of this movement have been received.
1t. doubtless. has the object of push
ing back the Germans eastward in the
former sector and northward in the
latter region toward Laon, strategic
movements. which. if successful. doubt
less would compel that part OF the
German line north OF ST. Quentin which
is still intact, TO fall back preciptatcly
east tward.
The British drive was begun without
the usual artillcri prelude, and as the
tanks and intantrymen made their way
through the wire cntanglemcnts and
/ pressed lntO inc German nrSt POSITIONS
the surprised enemy began sending up
myriads of signal rockets, calling for
/ assistance. Whether aid WAS rushed
up is not definitely known. hut SEEM
ngly the surprised Germans fed In
disorder. leaving all kinds of equip
menis behind. and. i'll most cases. did
no; even take time. as is usual to ap-
ply the torch to villages they eyacuat-
ed.
An indication that the German forti-
fled line has been passed by the British
at some points is the entry of the cav
airy into the fray Not since the
famous retreat OF the Germans along
the Ancre and the Sommc, In the spring
Of the present year have the horse
men been engaged At that time they
performed valiant service in harassinE
the rctrcating columns and In rounding
up prisoners.
BRITISH CASUALTIES
EXTHEMELY. LIGHT
The British casualties are described
as extremely light. Willie German dead
covered the ground as the British
pressed forward. reports TO date in
dicato that the depth OF the pcnotra-
;ion in the region OF ,'ambrai has cS-
cecdcd five miles, and that at one point
at least the troops swept on Eve miles
beyond the German lines, capturing ad-
ditional villages. The offensive was
under direct command OF General Sir
Julian llcdworth George Ryng. and
General John J. Pcrshing. commander
n-chicf of the American forces In
France, was AN Interested observer
OF il.
Meanwhile. the Italians evcrywhere
are holding the Teuttnic allie1 invaders
along the Piave River. and In the hilly
region from the upper reaches OF that
stream to Lake Garda. Nowhere has
the enemy been able to gain additional
ground. ON the contrary. violent at
tacks in the hill country have been re-
pulsed with heavy casualties Prob
ably owing 10 previous incncctual' at
temptS to dislodge the defenders. the
enemy has not renewed his attacks
against Monte Tomba ard Monte Mon
fcnera the vital points barring the
way to an invasion or the Venetian J.
plains from the north On the coastal