The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-08-21
Tommies We're On Top OF
Them Before They
Knew Of Attack
MANY VILLAGES
ARE CAPTURED
Important Ridge In Lys
Salient Also Attacked
By British -,
CBy Associated Preaal

With The British Army In France.
Aug. 21.-In the first hour Of the of
fensive begun this morning by Field
Marshal Haig the British troops
captured the towns Of Abla4nzeviIle,
BeucOurt and Moyennevilla.
The British attacked on front OF
ten miles between Arras and Al
bert. The attacks extended from the
Ancre river to BeeucourG 70 just
north Of Moyennevtllas
Some German field guns and 200
Founders had been taken in the
British drive at an early hour.
All the German Outposts and posi-
tions along the important Dram
coutre ridge, between Koudekot and
the Locus Hospice have been attack
ed by the British This front is In
the Lys salient.
Courcelles and Achiet Petit, al
so were captured In the British
drive.
Although prisoners said the Ger
mans had been expecting the attack
for a week, it was a tactical surprise.
Tanks and infantry advanced
through the heaviest fire In the gray
morning light.
After brief CRASH" bonbardment
the British troops were upon the en-
envy almost before he knew IT.
The British Advance.
London. Aug. 21.-Rritish forces
have captured Courielles, Achiet-le-
Petit and have reached AToyenneville
and Beaumont-sur-Ancre in their
drive which began this morning
north Of the Ancre river, according
to advices from the front.
The British attack this morning
was between MoyenneviIls and
Beaucourt- t-sur-Ancrs, a distance of
about eight and q half miles. II is
reported that the British have ad-
vanced from two to three miles
along this front.
The attack of the British this
morning was made without artillery
preparation. IT was completely sue
cessful. The attack was made by
the British third army under Gem
eral Byng.
After capturing Achiet- Petit.
the British troops advanced another
mile and a half to the east ana
reached Achiet-le-Grand.
Had Been Withdrawing.
British Headquarters in France,
Aug. Z1.-t1eLd MrshaI HaiR this
morning launched an offensive on a
'front.' or ABOUT 10000 yards. The high
contour between Adinfer and Moyen-
neville was the northern zone OF at
tack ana Putsteux-au-M Mont. the
southern landmark Of the front.
The enemy here lately has been
Withdrawing in order TO increase the
depth OF his defenses.
Although the enemy had been
vigilant and expected an attack ha
was tactically surprised this morn
ing.
The heavy night mist, increasing
to steamIike smoke enabled the
British 10 reach the points OF as
sembly without the chance OF de-
lection.
A great concourse OF tanks nan-
euvered into position as quickly a.
possible.
The first advance OF the British
was made at sos o'clock this morn
ing after a very brief crash
bombardment. The retaliation was
light at first, no doubt owing to the
difficulty OF the Germans seeing the
British troops in the haze and they
got on rapidly.
Later the assault, lengthening the
front by about another 5000
yards, materialized according
to plan. The general impression is
that things are going satisfactorily
for the British.
Some 200 prisoners were taken.
They were chiefly from the second
guards division and the Fourth
Bavarian division.
Some field guns fell into the hands
OF the British early In the attack.
The German infantry was said To
be weak in places. some companies
not having more than strength De
so OF all ranks.
The British Report,
London. Aug, 21.-An attack on 8
CONTINUED on page n.