The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-08-01

XVIlAT we have been waiting for all summer on the western front has
w come-he British super drive of 1917
Penuaton of German third line trenches oycr a front of twenty
miles to an average depth OF two miles, with the capture of ten towns and $500
prisoners, indicate the scope OF the movement, which exceeds in area and results
the first day of the battle OF Somme a year ago.
a, in last years great effort, the French are cooperating with the British
"A French army was moved into the German salient between lpreS and Dnmulc
This swampy, low lying, brush covered section is the hardest fighting ground
on the front between Armenueres and the ca The French report saws all
obechyes for the first days fighting we're gained. Similarly in The British.
reports 1t is indicated that at II point vas the attack stalled as it was around
Thepval last year.
After a summer Of bear stories about the terrific drain OF French man
power that have been endured, and right on the heels of a month of the most
that France has the men for the 1917 campaigns, at least
The French advance fatcned the Merckcn-Secnstrae salient out. The
point of junction OF the French and British is around BoeInghc. From Doe
single south to Waneton on the Ls river the British moved straight forward
and are OF their way up the valley OF the lys river to Menin
This whole offensive is outfankng Lille from the north, while it holds
the larger purpose of isoaung the German submarine bases on the Belgian
coast in the event it is supemey successful This offensive will be a repetition
OF the fighting on the Sommc, attacks will be continued as fast as the guns
can be reimplaced. Every blow will be driven home until winter weather stops
the grinding down process
Three weeks of artillery work prepared the way for this movement 1t
was by far the greatest gun preparation OF the war and countered by the biggest
defensive German skill could Offer, the entire allied plan is successfully develop
ing Nothing could more eoquenty tell Of the superiority of allied air power,
the main German army-the enemy with complete ioeknowledge OF the attempt
that was to be made.
Knowing wha, enormous lyics General Fig has behind him, recalling
the persistent pressure that is beng applied lower down south of Lens, the
thought will not down, that there Is a possibility OF a quick shifting OF the
direction of attack The world knows OF British eagcness to clean up the
chanel coast OF Belgium and get at. the nests of the submarines. Then it may
be considered logical for the Germans % prepare ht the major pressure between
y pres and the sea This drive from Warncton north performs the double purpose
OF wedging straight in to Belgium to isolate the sea coast, and Of building the
wall around Lille from the north
Why we're French troops shifted north to Flanders for a share in this
battle il not to allow the British army to remain at full strength before IaBassee,
going 10 be sent in to stop the gains Perhaps they will come from the AuaS
sector, for that is the quickest reservoir to draw from Given a quick success
German web in northern France would be in a sack The prize is worth enough
to give ccdence to the thought-W NJ H.