The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-08-10
|MER|CAhS TAKE PART IN P|CARDY DRIVE
WHERE GERMAN RESISTANCE IS ST|FFEST

veloping. Foch's strategy aims to
keep the Germans SO busy during the
three or four months Of fighting wealth
Ter remaining this year, that they will
be unable to deliver what General
Won Ludendorff hoped might be a
staggering blow. Meanwhile. all
through the winter. Americans win be
pouring in for next springs battle.
The secondary object of the Somme
drive was the forestalling Of another
German thrust toward Amiens, in an
attempt to reach the allies vital COM
municadons. This also has been s,lc-
cessful.
The immediate effect OF the allied
advances has been to seriously men
ace Mpndidier. It is possible that with
in few days Won Ludendorf will be
forced to evacuate the entire Mont.
d1dier region. Such retreat would
bring far-reaching results and would
compel further STRENGTHENING of the
German lines as far south as the
Aisne.
Identification of the 117th German
division as participating in the Somme
fighting Is significant, inasmuch as
only a few days ago 1t was fighting
on the Vesle. The fact that 1t was
hurried to the Somme, arriving the
night before the FrancoBritish at
tack and getting into the battle with
out rest, Is some Indication of the ex-
tent to which he French and Amer
leans chewed up the German reserves.
Otherwise 1T is likely that Crown
Prince Rupprecht would have used
fresher divisions.
Montdidier Surrounded.
PARIS, Aug. 10-(12:10 .. m.)--Sud-
denly attacking south Of Montdidier
Trench troops have practically sur
rounded the city, the French ofacial
communique indicated today.
The new attack was made on the
three mile front between Avencourt
and LeFretoy, the French penetrat'
ing four miles northeastward to Fave
ROLES, three miles directly east OF
Montdidier.
In this thrust the villages of Rubes-
court and Assainvillers were captured.
Fighting throughout yesterday even.
ing and last night, the French also
continued their advance southwark to-
ward Montdidier. advancing more than
a mile and taking Davenscourt, four
miles north Of the city.
Trench troops operating on the
right Of the British continued their
progress yesterday evening and last
night" the communique said.
1--WE progressed eastward OF Anvil
lers and took Davenscourt
Attacking south Of Montdidier, be
tween Avencourt and LeFrenoy, the
French took Rubescourt and Assam
vfllerS, and reached Faverolles."
Zeppelin Destroyed.
LONDON, Aug. 10.-The destruction
Of a German Zeppelin was officially
reported today by the air ministry IN
the communiQue describing naval fly-
ing operations during the first week OF
August
In addition the communfque report
ed destruction OF three enemy ma.
chimes. while six others were driven
down out of control. No British ma.
chimes are missing, with the excep-
tion OF one seaplane which was fore
cd to land in Dutch waters, where the
crew was interned and the airplane
destroyed
British Flying Forces.
LONDON, Aug. 10.-Unceasing co
ioperation with British attacking forces
in France during the offensive oper-
ations there was reported today in the
official British air ministry commun-
ioue. All sorts of work was done by
living s1uadrons. Advancing cavalry
was aided by low flying machines
which dropped smoke bombs to con
ceal the progress of the troops. Ad-
rCopt}nued m mare 20