The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-31

With the British Army in France,
Aug. 27 (By the Associated Press).-]
Having been still further extended by
attacks launched north Of the river
Scarpe, the battle today was raging
along a field almost As miles long,
and the British, with renewed vigor,
were rolling up the boche before them
and sweeping constantly eastward.
Nearly in the center of the battle
field hard fighting has been in pro-
gress along the old Hindenburg line
in the neighborhood Of Croisilles,
Fontaine les Croisilles and Bulle-
court, and once through the Ger
mans strong defenseS in this locality,
open, fresh ground remains beyond.
The Hindenburg line has actually
been pierced at once place, east Of
Heninel, and the weaker portion Of
it northwest of Fontaine les Croisil-
les has been captured and mopped
up.
During today's fighting the British
captured high ground from which
they can overlook the country occu-
ried by the enemy for miles around
and have thus attained a great ad-
vantage The Bois-du-Sart, one of
these places, lies south Of the Scarpe
and northeast of Monchy le Preux,
and it was feared that here the enc
my might hold up the advance for
time. 1t was captured, however. af-
ter short but fierce struggle in
which the Germans lost heavily.
Another similarly valuable point is
Montauban, northwest of Mametz,
which fell this morning after the
Germans had been given orders to
hold at all cost. These orders were
suddenly changed, and the enemy re-
tired in retreat.
Still another is Dompierre, south
east of Cappy-sur-Somme. Dom
pierre was reached in the forenoon.
From this point there is low rolling
country all the way back to Peronne.
incidentally the British at this place
are now only six miles from Peronne,
where the Somme bends to the south.
Rapaume, having been almost sur
rounded, has been entered by British
patrols and they have been fighting
in the streets. The town, therefore,
is a sort of no mans land for the
moment, but its complete, capture
seems only matte of hours.
The Germans are exhibiting still
greater anxiety to get away, from the
saayas.rfn even
ale Of the enemy machine gunners'
seems<to be diminishing as they are
not holding to their posts with as
n y~1x IN
battle.
Various sections of the front saw
fresh attacks launched today. North
Of the Scarpe where the operations
taken in conjunction with those south
of the river are gradually releasing
the pressure of Arras, the outskirts
of Plouvain were reached, and the
line then ran at an angle slightly
west and due north from this point,
with the British still going rapidly
and the enemy resistance decreasing.
South Of the Scarpe the British
reached Pelves but the situation
there is uncertain. Almost directly
south of it, however, the Bois due
Sart and surrounding ground have
been captured, and thus PelVes can
not possibly hold out for long.
London troops approached close
Croissilles, but a hot machine gun fire
from that town and other indications
that it was held by large garrison,
well protected in prepared positions
caused them to pause for moment.
At the same time other troops at
tackled to the north against Fontaine
les Croissilles. Having reached the
outskirts of that place they then
swung southwark to outfank Croi-
stiles. They are meeting with stiff re-
sistance here, bet the Germans are
rapidly being overcome.
To the south of this place the Brit
ish have pushed we'll to the east of ST
Leger, and are now fighting juS
northwest Of Ecoust- -St-Mein, be-
tween that town and Croisilles. Fight
ing likewise is in progress in the
outskirts of x-Vrancourt.