The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-10-26
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUMMARY OF THE WAR

French troops facing the. southern
bulIswarlc of the German defenses
in France continued TO make import.
ant dents in the enemy positions
along the serre and eastward, while
the SritiSh hammer, at the pivotal
point around ValencieHnes.
Southwest of Marie the French
have captured mortiers on the Serre,
while further east in the region
southeast of Monteornet, General Pc.
tain's men have smashed through
the German lines on q front of four
and one-half miles TO a depth of two
miles at certain points. The Ger
man defenses here were formidable,
having been prepared in 1917 and
continuously reinforced.
In the last four days the Germans
have lost nearly 1900 prisoners and
200 gums, according to unofficial es-
timatea in Paris.
n he enemy losses in effeotives are
$1,000.
While the British, French and Am
eTicans are slowly breaking their
way through the stubborn German
defense along the line south of VAL
enciennes, the attention of the allied
world 10 directed for the moment at
least, to the italian front, where
General Diaz seems TO have started
a major operation.
Fighting on a large seaIe appears
TO have begun on Thursday when
the Austrian statement reported
heavy artillery fire from the Brenta
river to the MenteIio plateau. II was
reported yesterday Italian, British
and French forces attacked the Bren-
Ca and PiaVe rivers and advanced
over rough country for a consider
able distance. At the same time the
allies moved ahead and captured is
lands in the PiaVe above the Mon
tello plateau.
This stroke was aimed at the angle
in the Austrian line which runs from
the Adriatie along the Piavs until it
reaches the mountains and turns to
the west. If the allied attack makes
material progress the Austrian ar
mics on the lowIands near the sea
and those holding the front in the
sector may be divided.
The number of prisoners taken, 5000,
would seem TO indicate fighting of
serious nature. IL 10 too early to
determine whether General Diaz has
really begun an offensive or merely
directing an operation which is in
nature of q diversion. II may be
that the morale of the Austrian army
which has repeatedly been reported
TO be low, will be determined by the
during the next few days.
British troops are continuing their
blow at the German line south of
the bend of the ScheIdt above Val.
sneienn~a Progress there h1s been
slow hut it would ap-
pear that the railroad between Cues
noy and Valeneiennes is under Brit
ish fire and the British are at the
outskirts of Quesnoy, There is an |
apparent effort on the part Of Field |
Marshal Haia TO avoid a direct as
sauis against the Normal forest just |
10 the south where the Germans are
solidly intrenched and have countless |
machine and light guns in position. |
Northeast of VaIencienHes the British |
and French are advancing toward the |
SeheIdt.
The French on the ssrre. oise front |
have continued their attack on che |
aortharn side OF the ang'e line. They !
have gained at important points but |
The Germans are holding their front |
Heuse sector American forces have
captured Hill $40, a height which is
important for observation purposes
Ind which was stvbhoraly defended /
~ the Germans. Near Grand Pre- the
Americans have forged still further
ahead and appear to be forming quite
I large pocket in the German lines
On the eastern side of the Arsonne
orest. American heavy artillery has
,een pounding German concentration
points during the last couple of days.
British divisions in MeSepotamia
rave resumed their offensive against
:he Turks. Fighting in that region
. next TO impossible durina the heat
sf the summer. N0~ that autumn
has come il may be expected that
there will be an effort TO form q
between the forces along
he Tiaris and those operating north
md east Of Damascus.