Le MeschaceÌbeÌ. [volume] ([Lucy] La.) 1853-1942, 1918-08-17
GERMANS THROWN
BACK IN CONFUSION
GERMAN ARMIES RETREAT ON
LONG FRONT IN PIcARDY AND
REAR GUARDS SACRIFICED.
PRISON CAMPS FULL
BeWildered and Stunned, Huns Are
Abandoning Their Stores, Guns and
Supplies and Are Falling
Back Before Allies.

Broken and tewildered, the second
and eighth German armies are still
falling back before the eastward drive
of the allies, abandoning their stores,
guns and equipment, and intent only
on reaching rendezvous where they
can reorganize and rally from this
staggering blow.
The Americans and their British
brothers in arms at last accounts were
pressing closely upon Bray-sur-S Somme,
aided by tanks and armored cars,
which inflicted heavy casualties on the
enemy as he endeavored to. retard
their progress.
Across the river the Germans heavily
engaged the British at Lihons and its
vicinity, and at one point pierced the
British line and gained the outskirts
of Lihons. A counter attack, however,
entirely restored the British line and
the enemy retired to positions east and
north of the village.
By far the greater progress has been
made by the French from the region
Immediately southwest and south of
Roye to the Disc river. Here they
have driven their line well across the
Roye-Compiegn road, and at Cam
bronze have reached the road leading
from Compiegne to Noyon. Since the
capture of Montdidier the French have
penetrated eastward to Tilloy, dis
tance of about seven miles, and to
an IN
a half miles, and through the hilIy
region southwark to the Oise have
averaged gains exceeding six miles,
over front of twelve miles.
The stiffening of the German de-
tense does not, in the minds of OBJ
servers on the battle front, indicate
that the retreat of the enemy has end
ed. Rather it is assumed that these
maneuvers are similar to those carried
out over the Marine front when strong
rear guards covered the retirement of
the crown princes army northward.
The smoke of large fires continues
to be seen far behind the enemy lines
and the movement of long transport
columns eastward is considered evi-
dence that it is the intention of the
enemy ultimately to retreat to new
lines of defense.
Aviators have destroyed all the
bridges across the Somme from the re-
gion of Peronne southward, and
with the enemy's communicating lines
either in the hands of the allies or
dominated by their guns, the retro
grade movement necessarily must be
slow. Therefore. strong rear guard
actions are required to save large num-
bers of men and guns and enormous
quantities of stores from capture. The
allied troops gradually are encircling
Roye, and its capture, which seems
Imminent, will greatly heighten the
difficulties of the Germans in falling
back.
Intense air fighting is proceeding
over the battle line In Fridays bat
ties 39 German machines were destroy
ed and % driven down out Of control.
The war office acknowledges that %
British machines are missing. Unof
ficial estimates bring the number of
prisoners taken by the allies up to
$4,000 and the number of guns cap
tured to more than 500 in the Mont
didier sector.
On the VesIe front the Germans on
the northern side of the stream are
reported to be intrenching and string
ne barbed wire over the territory
where they are facing the French and
Americans.
Eleven German divisions guarding
the front have been thrown into utter
confusion and their commanders have
been unable to rally them for resist
ance.
Chipilly, north of the somme, which
vas recaptured by the Germans Fri
day, was retaken by the allies Satur-
day, American troops joining the Brit
lsh for the purpose. The allied line
was pushed two or three miles east Of
Chipilly.
The allied line now runs from
point two miles east OF Morlancour
southwark, via Mericourt, Proyart
Lihons, Fresnoy, Lignieres, Couchy.
Ressons-sur-Mat and Elineourt.
The only railroad behind the Ger,
man line in this region is cut on the
north and south by the allies and there
are only two good wagon roads lead
ing eastward to provide escape for
Germans holding front Of twenty
miles. great many guns will have
to be abandoned, as It viii be impos
sible to get them out over these two |
roads, both OF which are now under |
allied cannon fire.