The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-08-22
ALLIES GAIN
KEY TO HUN
Line WEST
OF SOMME
From Heights of LIE Plemont
French Troops Watch Ger
mans in Retreat Toward the
North.
100000 PRISONERS
(3y Associated Pr.ss.)

IOOJOUO IWOUVL!lO
(By Associated Pr.ss)
PARIS, Aug. 22-From the
heights of LIE Plemont on the
Disc front the French troops are
now watching the Germans in
their retreat towards the north.
The French army under COM
mand of General Mangin in its
attack on the Disc front today,
has reached the line of the ALL
cite river, according to reports
reaching London this afternoon.
The allied armies have taken
more than 100000 prisoners
since July 18, says Marcel Hutin
in the Echo de Paris.
Between two and three thous-
and prisoners were captured by
the British in yesterdays op-
arations, the statement says.
Stand Before Noyon.
Fighting their way forward along
the southern reaches of the Picardy
battle front, French troops today
stand before Noyon. This city has
been referred to as the key to the
whole German line west of the Somme
During last night General Humbert's
men reached the Divette river for a
long distance west of its confluence
with the Disc. South of Noyon the
army commanded by General Mangin
holds the south bank of the Disc from
Sempigny to Bretigny. a distance OF
more than six miles, at Sempigny they
are only a little more than a mile
from Noyon.
1t is officially reported that the
French have reached the outskirts of
Pommiers, villa ge on the Aisne, less
than two miles west of scissors.
MAKE RAPID PROGRESS.
German forces in the sector south
of Noyon and along the Disc are said
by the French official reports to be
retreating," which may account for
the rapid progress of General Mangin's
army. 1t is said however, that con.
tact with the enemy is being maintain
ed by the French.
British troops attacked the Germans
along the line between the Somme and
the Ancre river at i:45 o'clock this
morning. This may be considered a
continuation of the attack north Of
the Ancre at dawn yesterday. The
front of the latest attack is about
miles long. No details of the pro-
gress made there have been learned
as yet
North Of the Ancre the British have
advanced in spite of enemy resistance
and have crossed the Arras- -Bapaume
railway line. This railroad embank.
ment was serious obstacle to the
British advance yesterday
British at Neuf Berquin
In the Flanders area the British
are closely following the retiring Ger
mans and have reached Neuf Berauin,
a village two miles within the German
lines, as they stood when the last
definite. reports were received from
this sector of the front.
On the northern side of the Lys
salient in Flanders the Germans have
been forced out OF a strong position
north of Bailleul. The Germans
launched a heavy counter attack
against the British positions at Locre
Hostice but We're repulsed.
Heavy fighting is reported in this
area. Strong German counter attacks
are developing near Miramount and
Irles. which are near the southern end
of the line over which the British at
tackled yesterday.
British Drive Slowed Up.
In this region, the determined re-
sistance of the Germans seemed to
have slowed up the British if it has
not checked the momentum of the
blow launched by General Byag The
same may be said TO be the situation
on the hills north of scissors. Little
progress has been reported in this
sector for the last few days
Last nights German official report
however told of the French reaching
the plateau north of Juvigny, but said
they were driven back.
Noyon, it would appear, is almost
1t would seem tnat re-
treat by the enemy toward Chauny,
farther east, is almost impossible.
The railroad leading east of Noyon
now is under direct fire from the
French guns. The only remaining
avenue for a German retreat appears
TO be the northeast toward Nam.
Mount Renaud, height which stands
as a sentinel to the southwest of No
yon now appears to be outflanked and
therefore useless as defensive posi-
ton.
There have been no reports of fight
ing from Lassigny north to the
Somme.
Germans Fall Back.
Allied blows on the 120-mlie front
frcm scissors to Ypres continue to
force the Germans back and the en-.
Continued on Page Eight