The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-10-25
(Bv The Associated Press)

Wy 1 ilN @NoNpNihNNh 'N'FF
Field Marshal Haig's Third and
Fourth armies, having smashed
through the outer defenses of the
strategically important German line
south of Valenciennes. continue sue
cessfully to hammer their way to-
ward Maubeuge and Mons.
Todays' attack started from the
new front gained Wednesday, which
represented an advance of between
three and four miles on a front OF
IS miles in which more than 5000
prisoners and many guns are re-
ported TO have been taken. The
enemy is resisting stubbornly, but
the British are forging ahead cap
turing villages and other important
points.
West of Maubeugc, the British
have taken the villages of Beaudig-
mics, one and onc-half miles south
west of lie Quesnoy, the most I'M
portant stronghold defending Mau-
beuge on the west. In the same re-
gion they have crossed the natural
barrier of the Ecailon river and rap
idly are placing Nalenciennes in
pocket.
To Outflank Valenciennes
Apparently the British are not de
sirous of taking Nalenciennes by
fighting the Germans in the streets
OF the town, but plan to outilank 1t.
The town now is partly surrounded
and the menace to it has been in
creased by the advance on the south
and the capture of the entire
Raismes forest to the north.
The British thrust undoubtedly
has badly shaken the German de-
lenses south of Nalenciennes which
are 50 important to the security OF
the German line north to the Dutch
border and south and east to the
Meuse.
Unless the enemy can hold the
British attacks today, it would seem
they would have to continue their
retreat in Belgium and also give up
ground south and east of the Olse.
With the Allied Armies in France
and Belgium, Oct. 24.-(43O a. m.)
The British have taken more than
6,000 prisoners and many guns IN
their new attack begun yesterday
morning on the front below Nalen-
ciennes.
In brilliant moonlight, assisted by
roaring llocks OF night bombing air
planes, the British fought through
the night and made steady gains
They are using see-saw tactics and
not at any time since the new bat
tie began has the whole line attacked
all the series of objectives at the
same time. Guns are moved up in
relays so that there is constantly a
heavy fire on the German front and
rear.
Infantry assaults are launched at
different times. First the end OF the
line and then another section some
distance away is sent smashing into
the enemy.
Enemy Is Bewildered.
These tactics bewildered the Ger
mans. No enemy unit knows where
an assault is coming, and all are
forced TO stand in readiness under
torrents of steel, high explosives,
shrapnel and gas.
A concentration at PreuX for a
counter attack was observed from
the air. Transport service, ammu-
milton trains and masses OF men be-
come mixed up on the roads in that
vicinity. When the concentration
was sufficiently large and the enemy
traffic appeared TO be in the great
est state of confusion, the British
gunners opened up their weapons
and pumped in steel as rapidly as
possible. Within few minutes, the
ground was Strewn with dead men
and horses, equipment, wagons, lor-
rieS and cannon.
Reports just received from one
sector of the front tell of fierce fight
ing at several places. They partic
ularly mention Pomereuil. where
the British were held up for a time
by a murderous fire from heavy
concentration OF German machine
guns. The place was filled with the
Spluttering wagons.
Foe Is Outwitted
The British waited for 4 time un-
til the advance had progressed north
and south of them. Then they swept
around the town on both sides. At
the rear they found a triangular
cleared space in which the German
machine gunners retreated to pre-
pared positions. The British went
around them and captured Pomeruil
wood at the back OF the triangle
thus surrounding the enemy.
For hours. these Germans. know
ing they had failed to stop the ad
vance and realizing they were
doomed, held out, firing continuous
ly.
At Escarmain also there was des