Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-08-14

dittcS nave FcdCncu INe plateau De-
yond. They are making further prog
ress and overcoming every obstacle
along the line everywhere.
London, Aug. 9.-Field Marshal
Haig's statement concerning the new
offensive by the British and French
troops shows that the enemy line has
been driven in about seven miles and
half in the center at Plessier, which
lies southeast of Moreuil. 1t shows
that goodly gains also have been made
eastward over the front of 10 miles ~
ing between Plessier and Morlancourt.
The statement says that no estimate
can be made concerning the prisoners,
guns and material captured, but that
several thousand prisoners and many
guns have been taken.
Text of Statement.
The text of the statement follows :
1.-The operations commenced Thurs
day morning on the AmienS front by
the French First army under COM
mand of General Debentry and the
British Fourth army under Sir Henry
Rawlinson are proceeding successfully.
The assembly of allied troops was
completed under cover of night, unno-
ticed by the enemy.
Aided by Tanks.
"At the hour OF assault French,
Canadian, Australian and English di-
visions, assisted by large number of
British tanks, stormed the Germans on
front of over 20 miles from the Avre
river at Breaches to the neighborhOod
of Morlancourt. The enemy was taken
by surprise and at all points the allied
troops have made rapid progress.
"At an early hour our first objec-
tires had been reached on the whole of
the front attacked. During the morn
ing the advance of the allied infantry
continued, actively assisted by British
cavalry, light tanks and motor machine
gun batteries.
Where Line Runs.
1.-THE general line reached by our
troops runs from Observation-Disclosures
to Beaucourt, to Caix, to Framerviller
to Chipilly, and to the west of MOrlan-
court.
mo accurate estimate can be given
concerning the number of prisoners or
guns or the amount of material cap
tured, but it is known that several
thousand prisoners and many guns
have fallen into our hands"
Transports Rush East.
Telegraphing from british army
headquarters Reuters correspondent
says:
ION the horizon enemy motor trans
ports have been visible scurrying away
1.-THE Twenty-seventh, Forty-third.
One Hundred and Eighth division OF
Crown Prince Rupprecht's army have
suffered heavily, while the One Hun
dred and Seventeenth division, which
only came into the line last night, has
been badly cut up.
'"The only determined enemy stand
was made around Morlancourt, where
there was fighting throughout the day
The enemy made several counter-at-
taeks. but without recovering any
ground.
1.-The French forces have also done
wonderfully"
Attack In Heavy Mist.
General Haig's men left their trench
es at dawn in a heavy mist, after an
artillery preparation of only few
| minutes.
About the same time the artillery
support of the French, at the south
end of the line and on the British
right. opened up with vigor on the
enemy. After some forty-five minutes
of this, the French infantry went over
Both the British and French troops
were supported strongly by tank units
which aided greatly in breaking down
the resistance of the Germans.
BY eight O'Clock. il is reported. prac
ticaIly all the first detectives had beer
| gained.
The most desperate enemy resist
ance was offered at MOrisel and More
nil, on the Avre. southeast of Amiens
hut both apparently were taken.
The attack must have taken the Ger
mans by surprise. rs the weather has
not been such as would generally be