Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-31

stroyed all the bridges across Tho
Somme. including the railroad bridge
and the regular bridge at Peronne
Northwest OF Peronnc, however. after
the river changes its course from the
north 10 the west. the British s,ycpt in
so quickly that the causeway over the
Sonmt at Clery, on the north bank.
ish hands.
Peronne and the country to the rear
OF that city are we'll under the fire
oi brltish guns. North OF Peronuc the
Germans are now holding the road to
n,anauIne as far as IA point opposite
Complies North of here the ADVANCE
or the British made the enemy re-
, IRE again. British patrols are astridc
Ing roau ana are moving southwark
Bapaume seems TO have been cap
.ureu without much resistance by New
Zealand troops, who were assisted by
pressure from the English on the south
me town VS. entered from the north
and east. There was only brief street
nghting, and then the Germans who
had been left behind surrendered
This morning the British pushed for
ward rapidly from Bapaumc. and are
now hShting TO the east of Frcmicourt
on tho road TO Cambria end at Ban
court.
ENEMY SEEMS TO BE
Still, IN FULL. RETREAT
The Germans are lighting rear-guard
actions. The enemy. force seems 10 lie
III lull retreat III this locality,
North of Bapaume the most impor-
taht captures have been made. The
strong defenses which had been erected
by the Germans at Bullecourt, IJende-
cagnicourt have been stormed and cap
tured
At Riencourt. especially, were the de-
lenses strong and the town sits atop
natural defensive position. II had been
thought that the Germans would hold
on to this place desperately. and they
cih Tor the first part OF the attack.
Under the terrific British fire how
ever. the enemy broke as Haig's men
Stormed the place, and II now is firmly
in british hands. Here the British are
within few hundred yards OF the ia
nous Drocourt-Queant line, which
probably Is ono OF the strongest posi-.
tons the enemy has ever erected on
the western front.
DRoCOURT-oUEANT LINE
STRONG DEFENSIVE POSITIONS
The Drocourt -Queant defenses con
SYST or i've lines of trenches, many ma
chinc- guns and immense quantities of
wire. and the ground Is honeycombed
bombardment
II is along this line. perhaps. that
one or the most bitter struggles of the
war may soon take place.
The british attacked the Germans at
dawn to-day north OF Ecoust St Mcin
and south of Bullecourt. and this re-
SIon also seems TO nave been cleared
OF the enemy. Tine Germans continue
10 bring up new troops in this locality.
Another new rrussian division was one
which the Americans had smashed TO
pieces at ChntcauThierry and since
mad been reftting and fillinc great
gaps In the ranks somewhere in the
rear.
In the operations of last night and
TINS morning the British again have
captured number OF prisoners and
guns. Among the cannon is a l5-cen,
nme,er gun captured in front of Maui
repas. complete field battery was
taken southeast OF Bapaume
In the Lys salient where fires are
nnrninE AT many places. indicating the
withdrawal OF the Germans. the lines
Of the British have been advanced 70
me east OF Robermetz and north OF
Neuf- Bcrquin. "
REPORTS INDICATE
Low GERMAN MORALE
Reports OF Germans refusing TO 6rb,
continue TO be secured. Reliable Ger.
"'an information says:
on august 2S il was learned tina,
INC Firth Company OF the Twentv.sec.
ono Rcaerve Infantry Regiment re-
fused TO go forward to relieve mo
f0urth Company. which had suffered