Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-28
High Ground of Great Strategic Value Taken
byBritons nNorthernLine--South of Scarpe
Situation Uncertain, With British Meeting
Stiff Resistance-Heavy Guns of AliesKeep-
ing Well up With Swift Moving Infantry
MANY Additional Prisoners and Guns Taken
SWEEPING EASTWARD

With the British Army in France.
Aug. 27.-(By the Associated PresO
Having been still further extended
by attacks launched north of the
river Scarpe. the battle today was
raging along a field almost 45 miles
long. and the British with renewed
vigor were rolling up the Boche be-
fore them and sweeping constantly
eastward.
The Hindenburg line actually has
been pierced at one place, east of
Henlnel and the weaker position Of It
northwest of Fontaine Les Croisselles
mas been captured and mopped up.
During today's fighting the British,
captured high grounds from which
they can overlook the country occu-
pied by the enemy for miles around.
ana nave thus attained a great ad-
vantage. The Bots Dusart. one Of
these places, lies south Of the Scarpe
and northeast of Monchy Le preux
Another similarly valuable point is
Mohtaubaun, northwest Of Mammetz.
which fell this morning.
Dompierre was reached in the fore.
noon. From this point there is 1ov
rolling country all the way back to
Peronne.
Baupaume has been entered nv
BRUSH patrols. The town ia sor,
or no mans land for the moment but
us complete capture seems only
matter or hours. North Of the Scarpe
"here the operations take in con-
junction with those south Of the riv.
er' are gradually releasing the pres.
sure on Arras. The outskirts Of
flouvain were reached, and the line
then ran at an angle slightly west
ana due north from this point. with
the British still going rapidly and the
enemy resistance decreasing.
South Of the Scarpe the british
reached Pelves. but the situation
there is uncertain. They are meet,
ing with stiff resistance here but the
Germans are rapidly being over
come. To the south Of this place the
British have pushed we'll to the east
of St. Leger and are now fighting
just northwest of Ecoust St. Mein
East Of Bapaume. the line has been
extended along the railway 20 Cam
brai
Marcourt and the ground 10 Una
east of it are well in British hands.
irons station and wood and the
ground to the east. which is valun-
ole because it IS high, were captur.
ed, as well as Moulin De Fargy, on
the Somme river bank.
After an all night fight Nancourt
tower and town south Of the Scarpe
were taken, and the important Hen
were captured.
1t was t" tho north Of the Soume
that the formidable organized attack
was launched by the British on an
e000-yard front this morning and IL
was this which had such good re-
suits in ground gaining. All the Brit
ish guns have been moved ND and
are following close behind The in
fantry and the tanks
Obviously the Germans are trying
to save as many guns as possible.
But despite this they lost a consid-
cradle number today. One small
British lorna, ion alone captured two
complete ~ German field batteries
since yesterday. German soldiers
have begun to exhibit the greatest
contempt FOR their own officers and
are carrying their feelings right into
the prisoners cages. Going to such
lengths would undoubtedly result in
court martials and firing squads in
Germany, and it is gathered from the
prisoners that they go as far as they
dare even on their side of the line.
All the prisoners and men and off,
GERS express their longing for peace
by agreement. The German 214th di-
vision is the latest to meet with dis
aster One Of it's battalion command
ers, his adjutant and what remained
Of the staff were captured while the
unit itself was virtually wiped out.
The Canadians in their operations
Yesterday, south Of the Scarpe. took
more than 1000 prisoners. and they
continued their work Of capturing
large numbers today
From present indications. 1t seem.
that at least on the southern end OF
the battle line the Boohe is slowly.
but surely, going back over the
SOnme