The Colorado statesman., 1918-08-31
BAPAUME and
NOYON CAPTURED
HAIG GRAPHING FOR ROAD TO
CAMBRAI-MEN THROWN
ACROSS AiLETTE,
PERONNE OUTfLANKED
AMERICAN AND FRENCH TROOPS
ARE DRIVING ENEMY FROM
PIcARDY POSITIONS.
we.lr,n Newspaper Union New. seryIcs.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
London, Aug. 3O.-It is estimated
by experts here that the German
losses in killed alone now reach a
total of more than 100000. and prob
ably approach 100000. These fig
ures were given out after study OF
tables of German and allied losses
which have been published.
The total entente allied captures on
the western front since July IS now
approach 10000 prisoners and 1000
guns. The British captured more
than 1000 prisoners between Aug. 81
and Aug. &c, while the British total
losses in the same period. including
all killed, wounded and missing, were
only slightly in excess of that figure.
The Germans continue in retreat
everywhere between Arras and the
scissors sector under the violent at
tacks by the allied troops. AS yet
there seems to be no slackening in the
offensive that is steadily reclaiming
numerous French towns and villages
and territory that long has been In
the hands of the enemy.
Indeed, instead of halting his men
for breathing spell. Marshal Foch
seems to be pushing them forward
Already outflanking the old linden
burg line on the north Field Marshal
Haig's forces gradually are cutting
their way eastward both north and
south of the Somme and putting down
strong counter offensive actions, al
though on several sectors they have,
had to cede ground temporarily.
Official reports assert that the Brit
ish have captured the important town
of Bapaume, where for days there has
been bitter fighting, the Germans ex-
erting their utmost strength to keep
Haig's men from gaining control OF
the railways and the high road lead
ing to Cambria.
To the south the British also are re-
ported to have penetrated to the out
skirts of Maurepas, another point of
strategic value. Along both sides of
the Somme running eastward ground
has been gained and south of Peronne.
where the river bends sharply south
ward. the stream has been crossed at
several points and this important rail-
road junction outflanked.
Since the caving in of the German
line by the fall of Chaulnes and Roye
the French literally have overrun the
southern portion of Picardy, having
reached the western bank of the Canal
du Nord along its entire length and
captured the town of Noyon which.
surrounded by hills. has stood defiant
ly for days under a rain of shells
East and southeast of Noyon other i'm
portant positions have been taken and
between the Oise and the Aisne the
French have overcome the heavy re-
sistance of the enemy and crossed the
Ailette river.
Northwest of scissors, where the
Americans are in the line with the
French in the general movement of
clearing Picardy of the enemy, there
has been severe fighting but with the
allied troops having the advantage.
The American sector is between Cha
vigny and Juvigny and the enemy fac
ing them includes the Prussian Sew
enth infantry.
Along the Vesle river at Bazoches
and Fismette the situation is rather
less tense than it was Tuesday and
Wednesday when heavy fighting oc-
Cured between the Americans and the
Germans.
Thursday the Americans heavily
shelled the German positions, but the
Germans failed to accept their chal-
lenge to a duel and replied only feebly.
The claim of the German war office
that $50 Americans were made pris-
oner during the recent fighting is de-
MED by the Americans who assert that