The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-08-09
BRITISH WEDGE
1con+inued From Pace Cne1

lCOntinueO r rom race Cne.'
French troops in smashing attacks
are forcing the Germans back toward
the important Peronne-Roye road. The
advance Thursday was probably the
greatest in territorial extent by the
allies in one day since 1916.
Amiens, as a result of the fighting
up to the present, has been almost en-
tirely relieved of the German menace
and even the German artillery will
have difficulty in reaching it. The i'm
portant railway running north from
Paris through Amiens and parralelling
the allied battle front, can now be
used again after being under the fire
Of German guns for four months.
Ten thousand prisoners have been
taken, according to unofficial reports
reaching Paris. The allied losses thus
far have been slight and the Germans
have been slow and weak in counter
attacks. The greatest enemy defen-
sive asset-machine guns, appears to
have been very well squelched by the
British tanks which swarmed through
the German lines.
Early Advances.
In smashing through the German
first lines on the 20mile front from
Morlancourt to Hargicourtfi or rough
ly, from Albert to Montdidier, the al
lies advanced as far as seven and one
half miles ir the center. The average
advance was probably more than four
miles. The most determined opposi-
ton has been encountered on the ex-
tremities Of the fighting front Nor
lancourt is still in German hands, al
oh TO tot CT cd
there Thursday.
Artillery played little part in the
surprise given the Germans by Cen
eral Foch. Tanks were used in large
numbers and. according to reports,
most effectively. Cavalry was brought
in late Thursday and succeeded in
capturing several villages and in
rounding up scores of prisoners. Field
Marshal Haig has not reported on
the captures of guns and prisoners,
but announcement has been made Of
ficially in London that early Thursday,
1900 Germans and 100 guns had been
taken by the British and French. La
ter. unofficial reports bring the total
of prisoners to more than 10000 the
French alone taking 5000.
Heaviest Penetration.
Penetration of the enemy positions
has been greatest south Of the Somme
to Plessiers This is directly east OF
Amiens and Framerville. the farthest
east reached by the British up to late
Thursday, is seven miles from the
Peronne-Roye road North of the
Somme, the British have had to fight
hard for their gains and the same
has been true of the French advance
across the Avre. Once across the
Avre, however, the French moved for
ward rapidly. The Peronne Roye
roads, with it's parallel line of rail
roads, runs north and south, east OF
the advancing allied line. which is
bisected by the Amiens. and Laon rail
road. 1t is the main enemy communi
cation line. With this in allied hands
or even in short artillery range the
Germans south to Arras and almost
to Rheims would be in great danger
Montdidier, the pillar of the positions
where the battle front swings towards
the east, is surrounded on three sides
Should Montdidier fall or the Peron.
ne-Roye road be cut, the German sit
uation between Arras and Rheims
would be most difficult, military OBJ
servers believe. The first result prob
ably would be & withdrawal from
Montdidier to Rheims to the line of
the Disc and the Aisne or perhaps to
part of the old Hindenburg line. The
terrain before the allies is rolling and
rather difficult of defense except north
Of the Somme.
Important results already have been