The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-14
SUMTER, c., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST H. 1918
BACK 70 OLD FRONT.
GERMANS NOW FACING OLD RIN-
EENBURG LINE.


Many Piaces-BiS Gains Made on
Upper Sommc-Rcliable Reports
From Front Tell of Disordered
Flight Whipping Enemy.
With the British army in France,
Aug. II, (By the Associated Press)
$50 p. m.-The Allied forces con-
tinued their victorious advance all
along the line last night and today,
pushing in the general direction OF the
upper reaches of the Somme. They
were smashing the stiff resistance IN
terpcsed by the rear guards Of the re-
treating Germans, the. bulk OF WhoE2'
according to reports considered reila-
kle. are fleeing in disorder. British
cavalry are reported this afternoon
operating close 10 the town Of Nesle.
iNesle is SIX miles southeast Of Chaul-
nes.)
Many hours ago the British, French
and American troops had reached,
roughly, the old line held by the Ger
mans before their retirement to the
IIindenburg line. They have now
pushed beyond in many places.
Goyencourt, two miles northwest Oh
Rove. is reported to have fallen to
British troops four hours ago. Othef
british forces were on the front o.
Chauines and Villers-les-
Roye.
The Germans are retiring gradual
" everywhere in the face of the fire
from the British guns, rifles and ma
chine guns
The Americans and British north OF
the Somme had further hard fight
ing and with fine spirit pushed on to-
ward Bray. They nave traversed the
northern spur east Of Chipilly, and
Etinehem is as we'll as in their hands
Gressaire wood had long since been
cleared of the enemy, the Allied forces
passing around the wood which was
reeking with gas from many pockets.
Here both British and Americans
were helped on their way by tanks.
At ona place q tank containing l.
volunteers rushed a strong enemy po-
sition. Scores of Germans were killed
captured This permitted the lnfan-
try to get on to the line it was hold
ing this morning.
The Americans in the fighting OF
the past 20 hours had further casual
ties, principally caused by machine
gun bullets. But their casualties, were
no more than could be expected
among troops constantly delivering at
Iasesz sasss sesss 81
any along the line, realizing the I'M
portance of the positions which are
now in the hands of the American
and british forces.
| A considerable rdnlber of addition
al prisoners were taken here and the
Germans suffered extremely. heavy
| losses. Up to date 81 German divi-
sions have been in contact with the
Allied forces. Of these, 81 have been
engaged between the extreme left o.:
the Allied flank and where the French
Join the British A number Of pris-
oners from these divisions have also
been captured by the French. Ten
divisions of Prince Rupprecht's re-
serves have been identified in the
fighting.
Large groups Of prisoners, hungry.
thirsty and grimy and appearing
thoroushiy disheartened, continue to
arrive at the collecting cages. Among
the capture were five regimental COM
manders and ten battalion COM
manders.
Late today strong enemy forces
were concentrating east Of Proyart
and apparently were making prepa-
rations to oppose a determined re-
sistance. However, the German OBJ
jective probably is merely to cover
the retreat of the large enemy forces.
They have the additional need of at
tempting to take away great amount
of heavy material. Of which they re-
Gently lost large quantity, and feel
the military necessity of risking man
power in order to protect the remain
ing supplies.
The scores of Allied observers in
airplanes reported that long streams
Of enemy troops and transports were
rushing eastward. including the vicin-
ity cast of Bray. Great columns OF
Germans We're crossing the Somma
River even by the bridges that had
been badly damaged by Allied bomb
ers who have dropped many tons o.
explosives at vital. points. The enc
my bombers also have been busy and
repeatedly were chased away by the
British pursuit planes to prevent
then, from dropping bombs to hind
er the advance of the troops
The Germans were reported to be-
rctreating eastward past Peronne in
the greatest disorder. Many were SAID
to be without arms. apparently hav-
ing discarded their weapons. Among
them were many wounded men, stag
gering along on foot.
Reports from the south received
here say that the French continue to
push along the Montdidier-Roye road
Many fires and explosions are report
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