The sun., 1918-08-26
Lines jOn the Vesle Heavily
Reinforced in Readiness
for Fresh Advance.
FRENCH HAMMER HARD
Germans Abandon Material
in Their Haste to Reach
Hindenburg Line.
CAPTIVES ON INCREASE
Lines in Confusion and Aus
trians Are Brought Up in Ef-
fort to Stay the British.

LONDON. Aug. 25.-Heavy reen-
forcements are being thrown into the
German lines opposite the British
front in northern France in what
looks like n last desperate effort TO
stay the advance long enough to en-
able the Germans to retreat in good
order. Among the new troops who
have arrived on the scene are several
Austrian units, but the best efforts
of the Germans were not quite good
enough and the British rolled on in
their relentless way. capturing towns,
villages. huge numbers of prisoners,
great quantities of guns and strateg-
ical positions of the highest impor-.
tance. Since Wednesday the British
have taken more than 1900 prison.
ers and hundreds Of guns: one Brit
ish corps alone has counted more
than eighty.
In the south the progress of the
French on the other shoulder of tho
'iNi Nilllt ibl 81 SpCI-
tacular is not less important. Their
advance to-day north of scissors
adds greatly to the peril which
threatens the German line in this
section and is likely soon to compel
the German Generals TO swing back
their entire line in order to save what
remains of their armies
Patrols Reach Rnpnumc.
The British apparently have made
up their minds that the Germans
must go back at least to the old
Hndenburg line. Among the towns
they took to-day are Mametz, Martin
puich. lie Sars and lie Barque, while
at Bapaume. where the Germans are
eNerting their utmost efforts TO hold
on. If only for a little while. the sit
| uation has become so desperate for
the Germans that the evacuation Of
the city is imminent accommodating
patrols of British troops are said to
have entered Bapaume. Unofficial re-
ports say that British advance guards
have penetrated to the outskirts Of
BulleCourt, which is seven miles
northeast of Bapaume and practically
on the HindenburG line. 1t is possible
that the Germans may have delayed
their retreat "A little too long and that
they may have to pay a heavy price
for their blunder.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press with the British army in France
predicts that Bapaume must fall shortly
He says the Germans exhibit signs of
cracking in some places. but are Offering
desperate resistance. Many more guns.
some of large calibre. have been taken
Nearing Hindenburg Line.
on some parts of the northern battle
front the British have reached points a
thousand yards from the old Hindenburg
line, which seems strongly held
Meanwhile some of the heaviest fight
ing of the war is going on in the
Bapaume section of the battle front for
the Germans are loath to part with the
town, which has great strategic value.
WarlenCourt, an important position
just south Of Bapaume on the road to
Albert-whicn has been widely crossed
was taken by the British after a bitter
struggle in which the Germans suffered
very severe losses.
Great numbers of the enemy were cap
tured during the day, among them a
! large party from the Third German
Naval Division
SO fast was the British advance last
night and to-day that it is impossible
to he certain where the front lines will
be located from one hour to the next.
There is evidence Of confusion in the
enemy rear, Units OF the same divisions
hurled into the battle have been taken
at points separated by many miles.
Quantities of material are falling into
British hands because the Roche has no,
troubled to apply the torch to explosives
Pozieres. 10 the north OF Albert, fell
this morning
High Wood. n strong position near
Longueval northwest of Combles), vas
captured. while Eaucourt rAbhaye. Com
talmaison and Courcelette have been oc-
cuped.
Recnforcements In Rear.
1t is reported that the Germans have
brought up large formations of fresh
troops, but 1t is believed that up 10 the
present these reenforcements are still
some distance In the rear. 1t is prob-
lematical whether the German high COM
mand intends to throw them into the
battle now or TO use them to hold the
line TO which the enemy is now being
driven.
Among the prisoners taken in to-day's
and last nights fighting, which in'o-
gressed under a brilliant moon. are many
Sa The officers N