The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-10-16
Great Wedge Driven by
Allies VIII Force the
Germans from Belgium
BY the Associated PresS)

The entente forces IN Belgium and
France continue successfully t" drive
the enemy before them. In Belgian
Flanders the advance is somewhat
rapid. hut on ali the sectors IN France
the Germans are lighting with despera-
zion TO hold their lines.
The great wedge THAI IS being driven
hv the Belgian. British anu FEenca
troops il, Flanders now threatens serl-
ously the tenure by The enemy OF many
positions in north Belgium from the
I.ys river to the sea. including ms
submarine and other bases along the
coast, while to the south the Lille SAL
lent gradually is being enmeshed or
doubtless soon will receive attention
from the pnccrs. which are being oico
for the task OF rcclaim;nG this import
mt tract Of territory as far as Ealen-
cicnnes Cor France.
Meanwhile, the French and American
forces are struggling valtantly forward
in their drive northward from the
Champagne region into the country
over which the Germans must ef1ect
ratircment 70 their own border In tES
event OF 4 final debacle. AS has been
the case always since the offensive
began. the Germans are vigorously de-
tending their positions. using innumers-
bic machine gun detachments in en-
deavors to hold their ground. Particu-
larly- vicious are thc counter-thrusts
that tho Americans arc being compelled
20 sustain cast and west OF, tho Meuse.
where the entire enemy front is threat
encd with Immediate collapse should
General Ligsrtt'S men crash through
the line for material gains.
Nevertheless, both the Americans
and the French are demanding that
their arms be served. and on various
sectors they are meeting with success
In the Romasne sector further gains
have been made by the Americans IN
tn, face Of terrific artillery and ma
chine gun fire and the natural defenses
and great systems of wire entanSle-
mentS which had to be negotiated Bad
weather has fallen over the sector. and
the airnen have been unable to give
their usual brilliant assistance I" the
maneuvers.
To the west the French are slowly
closing in upon Rethel on their way "a
Mezicrs, being only two miles distant
:rum the town. West Of Grandprc they
have effected further crossings OF the
Aisne. About eight hundred Germans
were made prisoner in this fighting.
In Flanders the British have taken
The important railway center or Menin
Thourout has fallen and the Thorout-
Courtrai railway has almost been Won
Numerous towns have been recapturcd
by the allied forces and large numbers
OF prisoners have been taken. Many
guns also have fallen into the hands
of the allies. The capture ot Thourout
completely outflanks the German sub
marine bas" at Ostend and brings the
allied troops within ten miles OF Bru-
Ess. whence tn. railroad line runs
northward to ZecbruRge. Germany $
other C-boa; base on the North Sea.
Reports are to the effect that the
Germans are withdrawing what Is lefs
oc their forces IN the north. both naval
and military.
In Albania the Italians have occupied
the Austrian naval base Of Durazzo. on
rhe Adriatic. while in Serbia the allied
forces are continuing to press the
enemy troouS north OF Nish.