The Topeka state journal., 1918-09-18
BRITISH IN SMASH
AGAINST The HUNS
ON PICARDY FRONT
Attacked Today on a Front OF
Twelve Miles.
Are Reported To Be Making
Valuable Gains.
HUNS RESIST DESPERATELY
Have Been Ordered To Hold at
All Costs.
Successful Advance Would Out
flank st. Quentin.
1900 PRISONERS REPORTED
Gain of Two and a Half to
Three Miles.
Attack Extends Over a Front of
Fifteen Miles.
Gain of Two and a Half to
Three Miles.
Attack Extends Over a Front of
Fifteen Miles.
tBy the associated press.)

London, Sept. is (4:30 p. m.)-1n
their attack today northwest of ST.
Quentin the British scored an aver
age advance of from two and half to
three miles on a fifteen mile 'front.'
according to reports up to this hour
The town of Hargicourt was cap
tured by the British. The front under
attack ran from Holnon wood west OF
st. Quentin northward to Gouzeau-
court.
The British attack took them far
nearer the line from which the Ger
man offensive started on March Il
last The latest reports placed Field
Marshal Haig's. troops at an average
distance of about mile from this line.
Prisoners to the number. of 1,50O
are reported. The fighting was con-
tiauing this afternoon.
The town of Epehy, toward the
northern part of the front under at
tack was almost surrounded by the
British this afternoon.
The British have crossed the Hin
denburg line at two points-at Villeret
and at Gouzeaucourt. The depth of
their penetration beyond, however, is
not reported. Villeret was taken by
the advancing forces, as were Lever
guier. Ronssoy and Berthaucourt.
London. Sept. 1S (4:2O p. m.)-The
British have crossed the Hindenburg
and at tn beet sugar factory south of
Gouzeaucort, according to battle front
dispatches here this afternoon.
Villeret is five and half miles
northwest of St. Quentin. Gouzeau
court is five and a half miles north
and west of Villeret and seven miles
southwest of Cambria
With the British Armies in France
Sept. Is (noon) British troops at
90 -a1 frA, Nf oh al,
miles west and northwest of st. Quen-
tin this morning. They drove forward
sDiritedly after a heavy bombardment
of only three minutes. They were
preceded by the usual barraGe.
The British are reported to have
three-quarter miles northwest of St.
Quentin).
Stiff enemy resistance has been en-
countered in EpehY twelve miles
northwest of St. Ouentin) and at
Rorssoy (three miles southeast of
Epehyl.
Vermand Give miles west of St.
Quentin) and Holonon wood (three
miles southeast of Vermand) are un-
der heavy gas bombardment.
The attack was made against posi-
tions where the Germans have been
conducting rear guard actions against
Haig's nibbling tactics during the past
into actual contact with the main Ger
man defenses along the Hindenburg
line.
Would Outfiank st. Quentin.
(Bv the Asso"iated I'ress.)
Field Marshal Haig. two months
from the dav of the allied offensive on
the Marine. has begun a closer invest
ment of st. Quentin. His troops are
attacking northwest of the city with
the evident intention of outfianking it
on the north. The new Operations
against this bastion of the Hindenburg
line, follow the British capture of
Holnon village of high ground three
miles northwest of St Quentin. Tues
day night. Holnon is on hill as is
Maissemy. captured late Saturday.
British Move Toward City.
These hill positions dominate the
terrain north of st. Quentin and the
road connecting the city with Cam
brai.
From these favorable jumping off,
points, the British are moving in to-
ward the city. Full details of the
operation still are lacking. but un-
doubtedly the British will meet with
stiff opposition. The Germans here
are on, or near, the Hindenburg posi-
ton and captured documents show the
enemy troops have been ordered to