The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-09-29
'BEtG|ANs STRIKE HARD
King Albert Personally
Commands Army in
Vigorous Advance.
ON 2O-MILE FRONT
Passchendaele Ridge o.
cupied, 1000 Pris-
oners and Many
Guns I aiken.

head of his heroic little army,
Albert, king Of the Belgains de-
livered his and his country's
answer today to the secret Ger
man bid for backstairs peace.
In personal command of his
own and the British second
army, he dealt the German
Flanders front a stunning blow
under which the Teutons are
still staggering tonight and the
consequences of which may
eliminate in a new German
disaster.
On a twenty-mile front be-
tween Ypres and Dixmude, the
British and Belgians smashed
forward with irresistible elan,
outf1anked and then took the
entire Passchendaele ridge,
taking all Of Houtsholst forest,
Polecappelle and many other
towns and villages, and bag
ging 1000 prisoners.
The advance up to dusk
ranged between three and four
miles. Unofficial reports about
a twelve-mile advance are not
borne out by the official news.
British warships co-operated
with the Anglo-Belgian drive,
bombarding the German posi-
tons along the coast.
The new Belgian line runs
through Woumen, Pierken-
shock. and Brodseinde, accord
ing to the official report from
Havre.
A large number of guns. in
Guiding battery of $50 mil
limetre cannon and numerous
other heavy pieces, were taken.
Enormous stores Of material
are included in the booty.
"The German dead strewing
the battlefield testify to the
enemy's heavy losses,' says
the Belgian announcement.
The Anglo Belgian forces pushed
their lines forward in the direction.
of Roulers. twelve miles east of Ypres.
That is the main German base In
Flanders With It falls their hold on
the coast and their U-boat bases at
oetend and Zeebrugge. Ostend lies
twenty-five and one-haif miles north
west of RoulePs as the crow flies,
vital strategic rail connecting the two.
Now that Passchendaele ridge has
fallen it is the turn OF Wytshaete
(White Sheet) ridge and an attack
against that bastion may be looked
for in the Immediate future. In a
measure it is already outfianked in
the north by today's advance. Between
Ypres and Dixmude a great semicir-
cular bulge has been thrust into the
German line
AT the head Of his army" does
not of course mean that King Albert
dashed into battle in front OF his in
fantry. Such is not true leadership
in this twentieth century war. But
he has full charge OF the drive and
he spent the day in the heart of the
fghting zone Immediately behind his
gallant soldiers and well within reach
OF shells and bombs.
Dispatches from the front state the
monarch could scarcely be restrained
in his enthusiasm and battle fervor
He ached to be with his foremost at
lacking waves on what may be the
beginning OF the deliverance OF his
outraged land.
He rode the same raven black steed
he had in those tragic days three years
ago when he rallied his army again
and again to a stand against the Prus-
sian juggernAut. hghting like true
heroes in Z foredoomed battle. But
today his fAne was not pale from grief
and exhaustion. His cheeks were
flushed with the nre OF a winning
cause and his eyes famed victory.
Der Tag" has dawned for Belgium
and her valiant king.