The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-28
British Hit First in One Place,
Then in Another.
Steady Forward Movement of
Whole Line Continues.
GERMANS FIGHT DESPERATELY
Apparent That They Are Only
Battling for Time.
Brave British Aviator Wins
Against Heavy Odds.

With the British. Armies in France,
Aug. 81 (night).-It is easy to under
stand why the German staff is con-
fused by the kaleidoscope events in
the constantly changing Eomme fight
ing line, which today's w attack
north of the Scarpe makes close to
fifty miles long.
The British method of ''hit and
run" with modifications-that is to
say, hit and run if the running is good;
if not to sit tight or drop back and
hit somewhere else-is bound to keep
the boche guessing. He often .guesses
wrong, while the steady forward
movement of the line as a whole con-
tinues.
Reports of today's battle Are con-
fusing enough when reduced to cold
print, where things always seem much
simpler than they actually are. These
reports included the fact that the
Canadians had reached the st. Rohart
sugar factory, the farthest point east
ward along the Cambria road reached
since the German invasion.
Defense Stiffened.
The German defense is stiffening in
the region of Croisilles. Our troops
got into Vaulx-Vraucourt flour miles
southeast of Croisilles and the same
grabbed $50 prisoners, including five
officers, before they were forced to
withdraw. Others had the same ex-
perience south of Bapaume, taking
seventy eight prisoners-in other
words. Thilloy's fangs have been
pulled and its machine guns sup
pressed.
Bellivil1e road (two miles northwest
Of Combles) was captured last night
with a number of prisoners, was lost
and then retaken. Five enemy divi-
sions were identified opposite the
I'D MA
covered all over the place. The Ger
mans rushed up a fresh division by
train yesterday to the defense of
Chreissy 1.-TWO miles north and east Of
Croisilles). Two regiments got into
action against the Canadians and were
almost wiped out. Elements of five
German divisions were found in
Trones wood two miles west of
Combles), while elements of sixteen
battalions were found on three mile
front elsewhere. Bandsmen, laborers
and other miscellaneous troops were
found in the front line.
1t is rumored that orders were found
on members of the s7th division
directing them to practice rear guard
actions.
The Australians are reported to
have peacefully Penetrated a little
nameless wood south of the Somme.
Malshorn farm near Ginchy "a
mile and half northwest of Combles)
was taken and the capture of Mari
court (four miles southwest of
Comb1es) was easy.
Recapture Own Munitions.
Stories of great stores of German
munitions captured at Mirmumont
(Un the Ancre) being turned against
the German line are now also true OF
British munitions which were cap
tured by the boches last spring. These
we're recovered at Pozieres and Moyen
hi!-.
The Germans are still endeavortng
to stiffen the defense against Ba-
paume, where their situation Is stead
lily gro---.-- worse.
Summed up, it is apparent that the
Germans are fighting harder, altho it
still seems they are only fighting for
time. One of the amazing exploits re-
ported today probably equals anything
the wel1-worn Somme fields have yet
seen.
A youthful airman attacked twelve
Fokker planes yesterday, which were
not disposed to return his fire and
fled. He then fought an inclusive
engagement with a. Fokker triplane.
To wind it up he was in turn attacked
by twenty Fokkers. twelve above and
eight below. He hurled his machine
into the first. setting 1t afire. He
was wounded, but his observer
bron the machine bnck safely.