Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-08-22
Today's War
Summary
(By The Associated Press)

~
Allied blows on the 1870 mile front
from scissors to Ypres continue to
force the Germans back and the enc
appears unable to stay the attacks
which Increasingly threaten the sta
bility Of his defensive system in
France. On four sectors the troops UNI
der. Marshal Foch are hitting the Ger
positions for good gains. Unless
the Germans want to sacrifice men
needlessly to defend partly outiank-
ed salients 1t. would appear the time
is close at hand for an enemy retire
ment. X
lient about 1t seems most ~precarious
as, the armies of Generals Humbert
and Mangin press forward from the
south and west. The menac Of the
French blows here ALSO includes the
German position from the Somme to
Scissors and probably to Rheims.
General Byng's$ successful attack
between Albert and Arras apparently
is aimed at the important base of Ba-
paume and II driven deep would out
flank the enemy positions north Of the
Somme to the Ancre. Already the
British are within four miles Of Ba-
paume from the west and their prog
ress continues. Farther north the
British maintain the pressure which
SLOWLY Is 1~atteninE out the Lys salient.
With the fall Of Lassigny and the
high ground surrounding it, the Ger
mar resistance in that region is said
to be relaxing. From Lassigny General
Humbert Is in q position to outflank
Roye and Noyon by advancing to-
ward Nesle. The French also are
moving toward Noyon along the west
bank of the Disc. south of where it
curves to the east.
Southeast Of Noyon General Man
Gins troops have reached the river
Disc near Pontoise, three miles from
Noyon. In the center also they have
pushed farther northward toward the
Disc, capturing additional towns and
villages. General Mangin is reported
to have increased by several thou
sands the 10000 prisoners taken up
to Tuesday night. On his left flank,
which,, II driven eastward, would
make untenable the German line
north of the Vesle. enemy resistance
apparently has held up progress for
the movement. In the new operation
north of the Ancre the British have
advanced an average of three miles
on a ten mile front and have reached
the Alberta rras railroad, crossing il
on the northern end of the attacking
front. On the north the British have
advanced to Mercatel, which is almost
on the old Hindenburg line as it was
before the Arras offensive of April
1917.
The Germans suffered heavy losses
IN General Byng's surprise attack and
the numbe of prisoners and guns is
said to be increasing hourly.
Around Melville, at the apex of the
Lys salient. the British line has beer
pressed more to- the east. On ths
northern Hank Of the salient the Brit.
ish gained some ground near Locre
and took 1873 prisoners.
'Nlbbllng" on a large scale NIGH
describe Marshal Foch's tactics mos
htt1ngly. BY successful and successive
bites into the German positions here
and there he is steadily undermining
the entire enemy defensive structures
He has forced the Germans to NOV,
their guns far to the rear to proven
their capture and to attempt to holt
the first lines with machine guns ant
as small a number of troops as poss
ible. The enemy system of defense
however, has not prevented the Allie!
from going through it for severa
miles-f1ve miles have been gained
between the Disc and the Aisne il
four days, and threaten importan
bases.
For more than a month now tn
Germans have tasted only defeat an.
It is reported unofficially that sine
July. 49,: the enemy has lost 100, co.
prisoners alone.
Berlin. in a brief statement OF
Wednesdays operations says that tn
British attacks north of the Amer
broke down with heavy losses" Be
tween the Disc. and the Aisne, wher'
the French advanced. it reports tina
a new attempt to "break through
failed. Nothing is said of the situa
ton about Lassigny.
On the Italian mountain front cas-
Of Lake Garda the Austrians have be
come ore active. Two attack
against Italian positions have beel
repulsed, while the enemy a%rtiller,
fire has been heavier in the Asolon'