The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-08-24
CLOSE ON BAPAUME

CIOSE ON 0ATAOmE
British troops along the extreme
northern sectors Of the battle line In
Picardy and Artois are advancing at
a comparatively rapid rate. Their at.
tack In the Albert region was con-
tinued early this morning.
According to unofficial reports from
the field the British have reached the
village Of Henin on the Cojeul river,
five miles southeast Of Arras
They have also advanced farther to
the south and are In the outskirts of
the town of st. Leger.
Advancing Br!tons appear to be
closing in on Bapaume, the reputed
keystone Of the German positions be-
tween Arras and the Somme. The
Germans have been forced to give up
towns just to the north of Bapaume,
while the British are reported to be
operating just to the west Of the town.
Take $4,000 Prisoners.
II is officially reported that in the
fighting since Wednesday morning,
when the offensive began In this sec
tor, the British have taken more than
$4,000 prisoners. 1t is stated in un-
official advices that whole batteries of
heavy guns have been taken from the
enemy.
South OF the Somme and between the
Disc and the Aisne artillery duels are
reported.
French patrols operating in Lor-
raipe have penetrated the German
trenches at many points.
Allies Smash Forward.
Overcoming enemy resistance with
smashing blows, the allied forces be-
tween Arras and Soissons are moving
stetdily forward. The menace to the
German positions on the fifty mile
front increases hourly as the allies
take thousands Of prisoners and in
flict heavy losses.
On the north, having hurled the Ger
mans from most important positions
on a thirty mile front, the British are
nearing Bapaume and threatening the
outlying defences Of Peronne. Field
Marshal Haigs men now are but a
little more than two miles away on
the northwest, having taken Chiel, lie
Grand and Bihu Court in determined
fighting.
West of Noyon the French have
forced a closing OF the Divette at Evri
court, three miles from Noyon. and
they maintain their strong pressure
from the south and east. Between the
Aisne and the Ailette, north of Sois-
sons, General Mangins troops are
pressing close to the heights dominat
Ing the Chemin Des DANES from the
west, increasing the menace 10 the
German positions along the Nesle.
On Old Somme Field.
The British Third and Fourth arm
les are fighting over the old battle
field of the Somme and are making
marked progress in fighting which
resembles in intensity the first days
Of the drive of July, 1916. They have
crossed the Albert-Arros road over
most OF its length They have seized
he high ground north. west and south
west Of Bapaume and have surround
I'd the important position of Thiepvial
on three sides
North and south of the Somme, the
British are closing in on Bray. They
lold the heights to the northwest.
South Of the river they have taken two
villages east of Bray, which lies on
he north bank. In the area Of Lipo
he north bank In the area of Lipo
Lihons, and the British are east of
Herleville
Pour Heavy Fire Into Front.
From Chaulnes to south. Of Roye.
he battle line remains unchanged.
French and British guns are pouring
/ heavy fire into and behind the front
iere. the stability Of which is serious
shaken by the allied progress to
he north and south. Noyon is still
enemy hands. but its usefulness
sanes as the French artillery bonn
,ards it and the armies of Generals
Iumbert and Mangin move toward it,
On the front. north of Soissons, Gen.
raj Mangin appa rently is giving most
ttention to sharpening Of the salient