The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-10-31
ENEMY RETREATS A
IN DISORDER ON
j FRENCH FRONT
Germans Fall Back on Hirson
Under Heavy Blows.
PoILUs REACH OPEN GROUND
Success of Gen. Debeny's Army is
Won by Sheer Fightin1-Ger-
mans Throw Fresh Divisions
in, Which Are Knocked Out.

London, Oct. 29-The Germans are
reported falling back to the high ground
covering Hirson, following n French
advance of five miles on front of 10
miles between the Disc and the Serre.
The enemy has been losing heavily in
this area.
The German official statement says
1.-THE German lines between the Disc
and the Serre have been withdrawn
to line west of Guise and east of
Cercy."
1T is impossible as yet to measure
the German retreat before the armies
OF Generals Debeney, Mangin and Gull
laumat between the Disc and the
Aisne," says Paris dispatch.
Disorder In Retreat.
ALREADY the retreat is taking 1n a
character of disorder, despite the en-
gagement of fresh German divisions at
the critical points"
The Guise-Marne railroad has been
cut by French cavalry and the fall OF
Guise is assured.
The French continued their advance
between the Disc and the Aisne, espe-
cially on the left flank The war office
reported the capture of Hill 1913, north
of Crecy, on the Serre.
Hem in Valencnnes.
The British launched a new attack
south of Valenciennes Overcoming
stiff opposition, they improved their POI
sitiOns and drew closer to the town,
which is infested with enemy machine
guns.
South of the Normal forest fires were
observed behind the German lines in
the neighborhood of Landrecies. Marc
villes and Sarbres. A heavy explosion
took place at Chupilly probably from
an ammunition dump.
Between Valenciennes and lie CUES
noy patrols have found lie Folie farm
evacuated, but the Germans are hold
ing their positions at Maresches in
strength and are digging in on the high
ground in the direction of Presecu.
Gain North of BoIs Raismes.
North of the Ralsmes forest, north
of Valenciennes. the British also have
improved their positions.
The British line also was advanced
between the Rhonelle and Scheldt riv-
ers, Field Marshal Haig says In his
night report.
On the front between the Disc and
the Aisne, General Debeney's First
army in the face of stubborn resistance
and repeated counter-attacks, has sue
ceeded in swinging on its right flank
so II faces east. 1t has reached Guise
and the Guse-Marle road, driving the
enemy before 1t.
Reach Open, Dry Terrain.
General Debeney now Is in position
to push rapidly along the upper Disc
through level country devoid of
streams
The first result of his progress is
to force the enemy opposing the Tenth
and Fifth French armies, exhausted by
fruitless counter-attacks, to begin a
backward movement which is eventual
ly bound to extend to the front before
Rethel. This will open to the Fourth
army double passage of the Aisne and
Ardennes canal.
General Debeney's success was won
by sheer fighting The Importance
the enemy attached to stopping this
progress up the Disc may be gathered
from the fact the Germans yesterday
threw in three fresh divisions which,
however, were knocked out.
The official communication says that
one army alone has taken nearly 1000
prisoners, some 20 pieces of artillery,
and several hundred machine guns.
British Smash Blow at Famars.
LONDON, Oct. 29.-British troops re-
pulsed determined attack to drive
them from Famars, south Of Valen-
ciennes. Field Marshal Haig reports.
Many Germans were killed in street
fighting in the village.
On the borders of the Normal for
est. south of Valenciennes, and north
of the Raismes forest, north of Valen-
ciennes, British have improved their
positions slightly.