Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-26

'tr"m the StaU CORRESPONDENT OF the
Associated PrcSs.)
EIITISIT HEADQUARTERS IS
FRANCE. February - (via London.
February 26,.-On ono portion Of the
became var Of movement. Under
cover "f foe and mist. which have
barn particularly heavy in the past
forty eight hours. tho Cicrmans car.
ri"d out the greatest retirement they
have made on tho western front in the
last TWO years and the British have
swept into possession Of Tvs. Serrc /
Mraumont and retit Maraumont. in-t
cluding the famous Butte de Warlen-
court. which has heen the scene OF
some Of the nercsst fighting OF the
war. and in places is deep with the
bones OF dead men.
The exact extent Of the German re-
tircment is not known tonight. but
il is estimated that IL approaches Il
depth OF three miles at some points.
British patrols arc out in all direc-
tions. harassnC the Germans and
keeping in touch with their movo-
mcnts. Until they report it will not
bc possible TO say just where the Ger
mans have determined To fix their next
llne pt resistance.
soon IN POSITION TO FORCE
EVACUATION OF BAPAUME
Nevertheless. 1t can be stated that
tho British now arc or soon will bt
in position possibly TO force the evac q
uation OF Bapaumc. which has bee
tho key to the German position sint5s,
the beginning of the battle of tS
Somme. The points which already have
fallen into tho Rritish hands have
stood ont in the history nf the fight
ing on this front. and had been most
stubbornly defended. Only a week ago
when the british attacked on a two
mile front east and south Of Miramont
ana Tvs, tho German resistance was
bitter ana tho high ground desired
WAS won only after desperate hand-to-
hand encounters and tho taking OF
more than 500 Germans prisoner
The British had been waiting for n
clearing Of the fogry weather before
pressing the advance. hut meantime, it
is apparent that tho German high COM
mand decided to retire without any
further lighting to strong positions
prepared we'll 10 the rear Friday
night fires were observed on the Ger
man front-linc trenches. They were
only dimly visible through the thick
mist OF the particularly black night,
but 1t was discovered that the flames
issued from burning German dueouts.
Patrols sent forward reported the
evacuation of the German outposts
similar reports came from north of the
Ancrc. and by nightfall Yesterday the
British had established themselves in
Petit Mcaumont and advanced all
along the line. meeting only with snip
ing resistance here and there
WAY OPENED TO GROUND
UNDER CONTEST ron MONTHS
To-day. the British patrol pressed
forward. keeping in close contact with
ne Germans. who had retreated n
further :.o60 yards during the night.
mus tho way Was opened to the
ground. which for months had been
contested
There were bursts of sim resistance
'r"" "erhan "hstructins parties
which had been scattered il the rear
OF the retiring columns. Early to-day
"is mine was exploded IN the main
street oi Miraumont i,st before the
hr'tiSh advance patrols uttered.
u is evident now. that the Germans.
taking advantage OF the last dsys OF
D
'hoNeh great many OF their guns we'll
10 tn" rear. leaving others forward TO
Keep up show OF resistance. This
'h''N ha" been vnliantly doing for tho
p's' threc or four days. firing more
ROUNDS thnn any Gerfnun guns in re-
cent months. The reason for this s
considered rs III obably a desire TO
shoot up stores OF ammunition which
'h'fc was not time To remove
IA" fcGs>. misty weather was ideal
'of inc beginning OF tho German re.
thcmcht. as II completely hid the pur-
pose OF the movement from the rrv-
nG eyes 'f tho airplancs which other.
w'SH would hav" daily searched out
the German positions
icrmanS. inade prisoner YESTERDAY
ana to-day said they mad bcon left
behind TO walk about and fire treir
r'hrs ana make as much noise as pos
S'h'" They were delighted TO be re.
d lsNcd from ilcii, tbuuLIo-.