The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-08-16
French Take Thousands of Ger
mans Near Montdider.
FRENCH WIN LASSIGNY KEY
Heiohts, the Stronghold on Which Left
Flank of German Armies in Picardy
Rested, Now in Hands of Pc
tain's Troops-Enemy's En-
tire Line May Be Affected
Capture of Roye
Is Expected.

London, Aug 14.-Since the allied
offensive began on the MOntdidIer-
Amiens sector August s the total cap
'ture by the French First army and the
British Fourth army have aggregated
$4,000 men and 600 guns, says Field
Marshal Haig's communication from
Headquarters The communication
adds that the day passed in compare
tive quiet on the battle front.
French Hold Heights of Lassigny.
The heights of Lassigny, the strong
hold on which the left flank of the
German armies in the Picardy fighting
rested is in the hands of the French.
The artillery Of the allies now dOmi-
mates the town of Lassigny and the
roads beyond. After stubborn fighting
the French have repulsed heavy Ger
man counter-attack on Lassigny mas
sif.
1t now seems inevitable that the
Germans must again break into a re-
treat, or else hurl their dwindling re-
serves forward in an attempt to retake
the maSSif OF LaSSIgny.
Cleared From Heights.
The French official cOmmunique re-
veals that the enemy practically has
been cleared from this high ground,
since it is announced that the French
have gained a footing in the park OF
PIesSier de ROye, on the extreme
northern end of the heights, and With
in a mile of the town of Lassigny.
Furthermore more ground has been
gained southeast of here, and re-
newed advance undoubtedly will spell
the doom of NOyOn.
In some quarters here it is expect
ed the entire line of present enemy re-
sistance will crumble, now that the
anchor, or pivot point at Lassigny has
been won by General FOch'S troops.
The French. by gaining control of
the maSSif of LaSSigny now command
not only Lassigny but the valley of the
Divette, as we'll as the entire district
to the north.
The capture of the massif must in
evitably have the most serious effect
on the German positions over a wide
area.
Expect Roye to Fall.
In the opinion of experts here the
evacuation of ROye may be expected
within day or two, for the town is
now under a cross fire.
The French gains on the Lassigny
massif already have forced the Ger
mans to evacuate a long line OF
trenches in the valley of the Disc and
are calculated to force further evacu-
lions almost Immediately. NOyOn
will come under the fire of the French
guns as soon as the artillery can be
moved UP. Then the road transports
on the whole network of highways
around NOyOn will become difficult
problem for the Germans.
The Germans have evacuated their
trenches in the bend of the river west
of BailIy and the French are occupy
ing them. The move has been forced
by French pressure in the valley of
the Disc
FIees in Disorder.
Reports from aviatOrs state that the
disorder on all roads leading to the
rear of the German front is indescrib-
able. Every crOSSrOad constitutes an
admirable target for the airmen.
AviatOrs, after serving to replace
heavy artillery by bombing front areas
are now aiding the infantry and cav
airy. When these forces are stopped
at machine gun nests airmen, flying
low. drive the gunnerS from their
posts. Then the infantry or cavalry
rush in and capture the guns before
the enemy can resume fire. All
through the battle of the Avre the
allies appear to have been masters of
the air over the battlefields. Few Ger
man machines have crossed the line
and of these not many have got back.
French Five Miles From Noyon.
The French are only five miles west
of NoyOn. the great dual pivot upon
which hinges both Won Hutier'S Pr
cardy front and the crown princes
front between NoyOn and scissors.
This is revealed by the war office
statement issued on Tuesday night,
which states that the French adj
vanced to within a mile and 4 half Of
CambrOnne, which lies six and half
miles southwest of NOyOn. Plessier-
des-Roye and Reval were captured by
the French in Il new advance between
the MatZ and Disc rivers. Progress
was also made northwest OF Curry.
The Germans rendered strong but flu
tile resistance.
Foe Destroying Villages.
London, Aug. 1.-THE enemy is re-
ported destroying villages in his rear
The ruins of PerOnne are reported to
be burning. Fires have been observed
by the allied airmen at various points
Heavy local fighting is reported at
Fismettes on the north bank Of the
Vesle. Whera the Franco-Americor