The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-13
TEUTON LINE

u'oittnnsh rom Page one.s
just south of tbs eastern extremity of
Thiescc urt wood and virtually on the
csest of the hills overlooking long
reaches of the Disc. West of L'Econ-
viiion they have made new progress
north of st. Claude farm.
As an immediate result of the gains
made in that sector, the Germans are
abandoning their trenches in the bed
of the Disc just west of the village
of Bailly, east of Ribecourt 1t is
said the French have occupied these
positions North of Lassigny in the
region of Roye and along the rail-
road running northward to Chaulnes
there are so far, no reports of pro-
gress.
Lassigny Heights Vital.
If the allies succeed in carrying the
heights south of Lassigny, they will
force the enemy to retire from the
Roye district as they will have the
Roye-Noyon road under their fire and
VIII dominate the whole region with
their artillery. The advance reported
during the last few hours if continued,
probably would have an effect on the
German position in the Ourscamp and
Carlepoint forests east of the Disc. II
the Germans are outflanked by the al
lied movements a retirement from
that district would be probable and
this would necessitate a relocation
of the line running from the Disc to
the Aisne at scissors.
May Affect Vesle Front.
Thus the attack launched this morn
ing would appear to have a direct re-
lation to the battle being fought along
the Aisne and Vesle by the allies
Late dispatches tell of hard fight
ing at Fismette, on the north bank of
the Vesle between Scissors and
Rheims. The allies, among whom
Americans are known to be fighting,
were forced from the village by the
Germans and had to cross the Vesle,
reported to have restored the allied
position on the north side of the river.
Allies Held North of Chaulnes.
From Chaulnes northward to the
Ancra river the allies appear to have
been held up by the desperate Ger
man defense. There have been local
engagements along this line, but at no
point have the British and Americans
engaged on stflis front succeeded in
making any marked impression on the
German lines which are virtually rest
ing on the old trench systems held by
the enemy in 1915.
Reports received today stated that
the ruins of -Peronne are in flames
and that several villages behind the
German lines are burning. The fires
may have been caused by allied bonn
bardments, but it is believed the Ger
as a preliminary step to a further re-
tirement eastward.
There have been local enga gements
in the Flanders sector, but nothing of
significance has occurred there during
the last day.
Allies Make Local Gains.
CBy the Associated Press)
Allied troops are hitting the
strengthened German lines from the
Ancre to the Disc for important local
gains at various points in Preparation
for further advances The Germans
are making every effort to hold the
British, French and Americans in
their old lines of the winter of 1851.
A break in the German effort to
stabilize the fighting positions appears
most probable in the region of Las
signy. between Roye and Noyon. Here
the French have advanced two miles
southeast of Lassigny and are push
ing forward into the southern edges
of Thiescourt wood and the important
high ground to the south of Lassigny.
taken Des Loges. From Curry the
French are in position to outflank the
nh position south of Lassigny.
Won Hutier's Position Shaky.
Northwest of Roye the British have
pushed eastward from FouQueScourt
one mile west of the Chaulnes Roye
railroad. Deeper penetration her.
will place both Chau1nes and Roye in
danger. This movement and the
French operations around Lassigny
place the right and center of General
Won Hutier's army in a more or less
serious predicament which prObab bly,
will necessitate further withdrawal by
him as two of his three bases are in
secure. The\ fall of Lassigny would
place the French between Roye and
Noyon and in position to OUTLAWS
both.
Yanks Still Fight in Bray.
Along the Somme the British have
pushed forward slightly toward Pc
rome North of the river British and
American troops are fighting in the
suburbs of Bray, while on the south