The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-08-23
Hun Lines Wavering In Northern And
 Southern Picardy
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kCOnLlnueQ rom rage One) drawal from south of the Disc that they were unable to destroy all the bridges across the stream. They also left behind much material and more than 200 guns. French cavalry and aeroplanes are harassing the retiring enemy and over the German positions of two days, even one day ago, French guns and infantry are rushing north ward. Except west of the Disc and along the sharp salient north of Sois- sons the Germans show little signs of holding and probably will retire to beyond the Disc canal, which parallels the river on the north.
 Most stubborn have been the com bats on the front north of the Somme and Field Marshal Haig has had to face bitter resistance all along the front. His pressure continues, how ever, and his success around Albert probably will provide leverage to push the Germans farther east, north and south of that sector. North of the Ancre the British and the Germans are struggling violently for possession of towns along the Arras-Albert rail- road and the Arras-Bapaume road, but the British have held to their gains.
 Probably the most vital sector to the Germans at present are those from Rove to Royon and that north west of Soissons If the first should waver and fall back the German po- sition north to the Somme would have to be readjusted. The salient north west of Soissons possibly is most i'm portant, because if it should fall the French would have the heights of the Chemin des Danes outfianked and be in a position to menace Laon. Con tinued French pressure on this salient would appear to have the effect of forcing the Germans to retreat from the Vesle within few days at most.
 American troops north of the Vesle have increased the security of their position by clearing out an important point north of Fismes. The Germans attempted a counter attack but were thrown back with loss. Along the rest of the Vesle the Allied pressure is maintained.
 In the Lys salient, in Flanders, the British have made further progress. hIdSI O1 N1eGNlilS they dIS Neuf Barquin. North of Bailleul, where the line turns northeastward, the British have pushed forward on a front of 1 F miles
 German newspapers are admitting that American troops to the number of 1,30O,000 may have reached France, but declare the great bulk of the force is not intended for the fight ing line. Berlin officially says British attacks north of the Somme on Thurs day failed. Concerning the situation in the south, it says the French have attacked "our new positions" between the Avre and tie Aisne. The retire ment south of Noyon on Wednesday is declared to have been "unnoticed" by the French.
 With the British Armies in France, Aug. 23.-(By the Associated Press)- British troops this morning are re- ported to have captured Chiegnolles and Herleville, south of the Somme river. More than 1000 prisoners were taken in this operation, which eliminates the bend in the line.
 Field Marshal Haig's forces also are reported to have taken Boyelles and | Boiry Becquerelles and to be still pushing foorward. They are bling up prisoners and guns.
 The British have reached Gomme- coourt, which is regarded as being the chief point of the German defense po- sitions.
 South of Gommecourt the British this morning were attacking and pushing forward all along the line. A battle has developed which seems to be one of the greatest of the war. The town of Meaulte, southeast of Albert, fell early in the British drive The British troops pressing on here are crossing the Bray-Albert road.
 Happy valley, to the north of Bray was taken by Field Marshal Haig after hard fighting.
 Three German battalion headquar- ters have been taken in the locality of Happy valIey. Additional guns also
 have fallen into the hands of the
 British.
 A number of fresh new German
 divisions have been identified. They
 were dushed up in the hope of saving
 something from the disaster which
 threatens the whole German army or
 this front.