Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-05
NOYON NEARING FALL
Continued from page
old German positions have been
taken.
HArG NEARING mEssrSEs.

HtfG NEARING MEsSfSFs
Sharp fighting took place Yesterday
north o the river Lvs. During the morning
our troops attacked and captured hill 63,
southwest Of Mcssines, taking more than
hundred prisoners In the afternoon we
attacked and captured Plocgsteert VII
lage with another hundred prisoners and
n number of machine guns North Of hill
63 our troops were continuously engaged
in the sector of Wytschaete whore the
enemy attacked repeatedly, but without
success
On the Lys frpnt our troops now hol
the general line Of Voormezeeie-W Wulver-
CHEM Ploegsteert Nieppc Laventie Gi-
venchy
South Of Neuve Chappelc az far as
Givenchy we have regaincd the old line
held by VA prior TO April 2 and east Of
Givenchy we have occupied portions Of
the old German positions.
On the southern battle front the enemy
strongly attacked our new positions at
Inchy-en-Artois yesterday evening, but
was repulsed after sharp fighting
We have improved our positions south
of Mouevres and east of Hermies and
have taken Neuvlle-Nourlonval.
CLOSING IN on pERosNE.
The enemy counter attacked Yesterday
evening Of Manacourt and was rcpulsed
Fighting has taken place also in the
neighborhood Of Peronne and our line
has been improved slightly
On the battle line IN front Of Cambria
an improvement in the British positions
south Of Moeuvres is reported The
positions to the east of Hermies, near the
canal du Nord, just the south, also
have been improved Still farther south.
the British have captured the village Of
Neuwllc- riouval, east Of the canal
du Nord.
A. p. Summary D. m.
The Germans have begun a general re-
treat from the Nesle river between Sols-
sons and Rehlms General Mangln has
advanced his lines 10 the edge of the
plateau from Yauxcere TO Baslieuz 10 a
position 70 the north dominating the
AlSne and the ChemIn des Danes.
American patrols confirm reports that the
enemy has removed his stores and sup
plies and additional territory in this
sector is expected to be taken with little
more than rear guard opposition.
Elswhere along the battle front from
Rheims to Ypres the German retreat
continues, heavy gains having been made
by the French, who are advancing In the
direction Of Ham after taking Guis-
card. Overcoming strong resistance Cen
eral Humbert's army broke the line and
advanced in this sector from four TO
seven miles on line from Mt. st Siemon
to the canal du Nord.
HUNS STAND At CAMRRAI.
The concentration of German troops
IN the wide front before Cambria has
served to slow down the British adv
vance In this section perceptable although
some progress IS being made. Increased
German artillery FIRE is reported all along
the British lines. Here the Germans had
the advantage of the defenseS formed by
the canal du Nord and the Hindenburg
lines, both of which the British have en-
tered at various points. After the strain
of the long offensive they have caused the
British to halt temporarily to give the
men much needed rest.
SMASHING HUNS DEFENSE LINES.
While the situation in the north shows
that the Allies are fast driving the enemy
to territory less susceptible of defense
and approaching their detectives at Lille,
Armentieres and Cambria, the Franco
American forces on the southern end OF
the battle front have reached q stage in
their forward movement as To menace
the German occupation of the territory
north of the Aisne.
General Mangin's troops are nearing
Chemin des Danes and the German forces
face the Americans 10 the right have
but few defenses left them before they
will be compelled to make stand IN or
beyond the old Hindenburg line. Before
Gen Mangin lies Laon and to the north
La Fere, both critical positions for the
Germans. With Laon and La Fere In
French hands and the general allied lines
extending north to st. Quentin line Cam
brai and Lille athe Germans plan of occu-
patton in northern France would be Sc
verely tested, if not completely upset.