The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-06
Normal Forest Is Cleared OF
the Enemy.
Retreat Is Not Orderly as In
the Past.
DIVIDE MONS AND MAUBEUGE
French Force Germans Back
South on Line.
Hard To Determine Exact LO.
cation of the Armies.

London, Nov. 6.-The allies have
pushed forward to within less than
four miles of Maubeuge; according to
battle front dispatches received here
this afternoon.
Yanks in Gain.
With the American Army on the Ses
dan Front, Nov. 6.-American troops
continued the advance today between
the Meuse and the Bar. moving for
ward at one place more than three
miles.
Berlin Admits 1t.
Berlin, Nov. 6.-American troops
advanced across the river Meuse
south of Dun. under a violent protec-
tive fire. and penetrated the woods and
heights on the east bank of the river
between Milly and Viloene, the Ger
man general staff announced today.
Allies Reached Ghent.
London, Nov. 6.--The latest infor-
nation regarding the military situa-
ton at Ghent goes to show that the
allies have reached the suburbs but
that the town itself is still holding out.
1t is possible that, like Lens, Ghent
will hold out for some time until a
successful encfrcling movement has
been accomplished.
Near 10 Sedan.
With the American Army on the Sc
dan Front. Nov. 6.-The Americans
reached Chemery, TN miles south
southwest of Sedan. East of Chemery
the American lines now run thru,
Maisoncelle, Flaba and the Bois du
Fond de Limon.
(By the Associated Press.)
Forced to a realizatio-- of impend-
ing peril by the progress Of the Brit
ish southeast of Valenciennes and the
French and Americans south OF Sedan.
Germanys shattered armies are in
rapid retreat from the Belgian from
tier to the Aisne river. So rapid is the
! retirement that it is very difficult to
determine the exact location OF the
cont ling forces along this eighty
five miles of front. ., D
British forces have cleared the bar
rier of Normal forest and threaten to
drive a wedge between Mons and
Maubeuge.
To the south the French have
launched an attack that has forced
the enemy back from three to four
miles, while along the Meuse the
Americans in close cooperation with
the French just to the westward have
overcome a stubborn resistance by the
| enemy and moved still nearer the
Sedan-Longuyon railroad.
Not So Orderly.
| There is evidence that the Germans
are not carrying out the orderly re-
| treat that marked thei- retirement
from the Marine and Somme salients.
Batteries Of field guns with horses at
tached have been captured and vast
| quantity of munitions which could be
| moved quickly under ordinary circum-
| stances has fallen into the hands OF
| the allies.
70 the north, Ghent is closely in
vested by the French, Belgian and
British troops. The fighting there il
| apparently between German rear
guards an1 the allied forces. for civil.
ians are said to be close behind the
lines and Queen Elizabeth OF Belgium
| watched the beginning of the assault
| against the city.
ScheIdt No Protection.
! The line of the Scheldt is no longer
any protection to the enemy in Bel
gium. 1t has been crossed everywhere
from Ghent to Valenciennes and it 10
probable that allie troops have been
flung across the canal north of Ghent.
Between Client and Brussels there IL
+, no great natural obstacle except the
| Dendre river which will aid the Ger
mans in conducting defensive opera
(; tions. and it seems probable that the
| enemy Will not turn at bay until he
reaches the Nanur- Brussels Antwerp
line which is said to have been pre-
pared for a grim struggle.
| Cross the Meuse.
American forces north of Verdun
| have cross the Meuse at three places
and have gained ground on the east
side of the river. This advance 10
most important for it threatens the
tSedan-Longuyon line at a new point
and removes from the Germans the
advantage of having a position on the
flank of the American forces advanc-
ing northward on the western side Of
the stream. Sedan must be under ar
tillery fire from the medium caliber
American guns.
Yanks Pass, Stonnc.
! London, Nov. 6.-The Americans.
icontinufng their advance in the Meuse
) region. have cleared the east bank az
far north as .-illy and have passed be-
YONG Stonne. less than nine miles
south of Sedan. IT was announced In
the American of -icial communique to-
day.
i Seventeen German airplales ana
two balloons were shot down Tuesday.
4 We have crossed the river at Dun.
! Sur-Meuse. captured Bois De Chat.
tiIon. Dun-Sur- -Meuse and Beaumont,