The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-02-27
BRITISH PRESS
ON TO ATTACK
UPON BAPAuME
Move Ahead on 11-Mile Front
:. at Ancre-Airplanes
Are Active.

British Headquarters in France,
Feb. ,27-The full extent Of the Ger
man retirement in the Somme area
has not yet developed. o utpost fight
ing continued yesterday between
strong British patrols pressing for
ward over the newly yielded ground,
and the German rearguards who fell
back under the fire of their heaviest
calibre guns.
There has been comparatively lit
tie light artillery fire, the Germans
evidently depending on their heav-
les mounted on railway trucks, which
could be rusheid away at the last mo-
ment in case Of necessity.
British Moving Forward
The British continued to move for
ward all along the line from just
south Of Gommecourt to LIE Trans
10y, the latter point apparently being
the pivot from which the German re-
treat swings backward. The line has
been carried well to the northeast of
Serre, while Iries and Warlencourt
are in British possession.
Serre, Pys, Warlencourt and Mirau-
mont, like other famous points in the
Somme battlefield, such as Pozieres,
Courcelette and Contalmaisin, long
ago ceased to have form as villages.
The artillery fire they endured for
months pulverized them to bits Of
stone and brick, the remnant of which
will now be used by the British in re-
storing the roads to a passible condi-
ton.
The weather cleared yesterday and
the airplanes quick to take advantage
Of flying opportunities, were up,
closely observing the German moce-
ments. The British line was creep
ing nearer Bapaume, the famous Ger
man stronghold regarding which there
were reports that the garrison had
blown up what had been proclaimed
other various underground works, on
which they had labored for the
greater part Of two years. The roads
leading into Bapaume were also re-
ported to be obstructed by giant trees,
mine craters and other barriers.
No official hint as to the probable
line, the Germans propose taking up
could be obtained from any member
Of the British staff. There have been
many conjectures during the past
week, however, that when the Ger
mans began to fall back under press
ure they would probably make no real
resistance until they reached line
approximating Arras and Cambria
cambria is Is miles northeast Of Ba-
paume). It is known that the Ger
mans have been preparing defenses
that far back for some time, where
they hope to hold against the expect
ed Allied offensive.
"Heaven Trench" Abandoned
A fire was observed at Gommecourt
today, heavy artillery action going
on, and this may be the next salient
to give way. One Of the German
trenches which has passed into Brit
ish hands had the official name of
Heaven Trench" although it's condi-
ton suggested anything but that.
The Germans gave the first intima-
ton 'of the near approach of their
retirement when they evacuated
Grandcourt three weeks ago. This
was evidence of new German tactics,
for throughout all the bitter fighting
of 1916 they never yielded an inch
of ground until they were driven out
at the point of the bayonet.
The backward movement inaugu-
rated at Grandcourt now becomes the
greatest retreat of this front since the
Battle Of the Marine. The events of
the past two days have sent thrill
through the entire British army-a
thrill which seems to forecast the end
of the stationary" warfare.