The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-10-04
AUSTRIAN naval
BASE DESTROYED
BY THE ALLIES
Yankee Warships Help in Attack
on Port of Du-
razZ0.
AUSTRlANS QUIT ALBANIA


Italian Troops Pass Beyond the lmpor-
tant Base of Berat-British and
French Tear Wide Gaps In
Hindenburg Line.
Rome, Oct. 5.-American, British
and italian warships have destroyed
the Austrian naval base at Durazzo
and the warships anchored there, ac-
cording to an announcement made by
Premier Orlando.
London, Oct. 4.-Austrian troops
have been withdrawn from Albania.
the Austrian war office announces, ac-
cording to dispatches from vienna.
Berat has been taken by the allies the
statement says.
Italians Smash Foe.
Rome, Oct. 4.-Taking advantage OF
the collapse which eliminated Bull
garia from the war, Italian troops
against the Austro-Hungarians In Al
bania.
The general battle opened on Tues
day over a front Of 35 miles, from the
Adriatic eastward to the Osum river.
Hindenburg Line Eliminated.
London, Oct. 4.-The entire linden
burg line from the North sea to Cam
bria was virtually eliminated in
series of smashing offensives.
The coal city Of Lens, center OF
Frances famous "black district" was
abandoned by the Germans without
a shot.
Armentieres likewise has been evac-
uated The whole front between the
two towns, a stretch of IL miles, 1ell
back and is still in retreat.
BeIgians in RouIers-
Roulers, the great German base IN
Flanders, was reported-in in flames, hav-
ing been fired by the retreating Ger
mans to the south.
A Belgian armoured car has entered
Roulers as the vanguard Of King Al
berts army.
To the south the French are rapid
ly outf1anking La Fere. That place
captured, only the two hinges, Lille
In the north and LaOn in the south
will remain of the Hindenburg line.
Laon already is gravely threatened
by the French who are only five miles
to the south Of it.
In the week ending Wednesday the
allies have captured 10000 men and
1000 guns on the western front.
The principal attack was launched
by British infantry and tanks along
an eight-mile front from Sequehart to
the canal north of Bony, in the st.
Quentin sector, and was completely
successful, Field Marshal Haig re-
ported.
Dead Litter Ground.
The British troops smashed q large
and vital section of the Hindenburg
line between st. Quentin and Cambria,
occupied many additional towns and
villages and took 5000 mere prisoners
and numerous guns.
Australian troops are fighting be-
yond the Beaurevoir line in the st.
Quentin sector.
The Germans are retiring toward
Montbrehain. Thus the Hindenburg
system has been definitely passed.
The battle continued throughout
the day, English and Australian di-
visions driving deep into the enemy
Gefenses. The ground over which the
British troops fought their way against
the inevitable swarms Of machine
guns was Uttered with German dead
The advance has reached depth OF
about five miles at its apex, and 1t
follows that the principal Hindenburg
defenses here have been shattered. A
few hours may see the British all the
way on the other side of the great
German defensive system.
Tn the north, besides abandoning
Lens the Germans have begun re-
treat on practically all the Armen-
tieres sector, and appear to be In full
flight
British troops have entered and are
now passing through Lens.
Aubers ridge, south of Armentieres,
has been taken, and the British are
east of there. Indications are not
wanting that the Germans have been
forced TO begin one of the wars
greatest retreats.
Menace U-Boat Base.
The troops cooperating with the
Belgians have taken villages near
Roulers after hard street fighting
They have forced the Germans well
back and are still going. The Ger
mans must get out CT the Belgian
coast as far as Ostend, it the advance
here continues, as it gives every sign
of doing.
LIE Catelet, the link between Cam
ibrai and st. Quentin, is officially re-
ported in British hands, It's capture