Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-10-27
BRITISH ADVANCE
SEALS THE DOOM
OF VALENCIENNES
Civilians Released by British
When Germans Were Driv-
en- Out Say They Have Been
Almost Without Food,


With the British Army in France
and Belgium. oct. &c tby the Associ-
ated Press. Heavy fjShtIn@ cOntn-
ue3 today in the Valenoicnnea area,
particularly along the RhoncIc river
south Of that city. The enemy was
battling grtmly this morning 10 rcttrd
the British advance. which from it's
speed threatened to hottie up Nalen-
niennos before it's Defenders could
Withdraw.
1t seemed certain today that No}en-
Ciennes could not hold ont much long
e.. Yesterday the British drove Cor
ward across the lie Qucsnoy- Na'enct-
crncS railway, the Germans being
forced to withdraw from their strong
positions and fall back ia new de-
fcnSes along the Rhcnejlc. lie Oucsnov
WIS closely besieged this morning by
tho attacking forces.
Southwark the British army had
pushed forward a considerable dis
lance and forced its way through en-
gelfoataine after severe fighting.
The British attack north Of Nalon-
ciennes had carried them forward to
an average dept hof Two miles. The
villages of Moen and Recstert were
captured and Spichtestraat and Driech
approached and the troops which
stoTmed Moen pushed on to the line Of
the river at Bossuet and Autryvc.
From statements Of prisoners and lib
Grated ciyiliars it would appear that
the Germans intended to hold the
present limo around Nalenciennes only
long enough to complete the prepare
ton of the defenses along the Maui
beHge and Mons lire, to which they
Will retire shortly. Civilians report
that troops were set to work on TINS
line some time ago.
There was a battle in the Artrar5-
Famars sector just south of Nalencl-
onnes. British cyClist patrols reached
Artres at 4 o'clock in the afternoon,
The Gemars threw in vigorous cOun-
ter-attacz along a considerable front,
but their advanced troops were forced
to fall back to the line of the railway.
West of Famars the enemy made an
ether fierce counter attack; they came
up against Scotch highlanders, who
not only repulscd the attack but drove
the Germans back to the line of the
railway.
The enemy suffered heavy casualties
here
C'ounter-attacRs attempted north Of
Ergelfontaine were easily repulsed.
Maresches was heavily garrisoned by
the enemy and the advance, at least
temporarily, was held mp here by
terrific machine gun fire from the
town. In Vendegies, which was cap
tured. the British found a well-con-
ccaled system Of camouflaged trench
cs. The whole village was barricaded
and wired and presented a formidable
obstacle, which evidently was meant to
be held
Yesterdays advance south of Va
Tenderness was rendered doubly hard
hv the extension a0f the flooded area
The British were forced to work
around this. There was hard fight
ing west of Condo and according to
latest reports the enemy was battling
fiercelv to hold this position with
ring of forts.
IN attempt by the British to cross
the Rhonelle river between Artres
ana Sepmeries early today was block
ed by n heavy machine gun and ar
tillery fire from the north bank of
the river, but the attacking troops
pushed ahead and established them
selves along a line running from
northeast of Sepmeries to Just south
of ArtreS