Evening star., 1918-07-13
FRENCH ADVANCE
between THE OISE
AND MONTDIDIER
Continued From First Page.)
OF Saarbrucken were attacked. All
our machines returned safely"
Bring Line Forward.
olIHB 1lue EUrWHIu.
By the Associated Press.

Jul HdCIllneS returned SaIely.
Bring Line Forward.
BY the Associated Press.
WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE. July 12.-British operations
have brought the line forward to
within about a quarter of a mile west
of that important hamlet and secured
Tor the British complete observation
of German positions in the village.
On Tuesday Australian units push
ed forward northwest of Merris along
a front of 1900 yards to a depth of
ESQ yards and drove the enemy from
the high ground overlooking Merris.
Yesterday the British infantry again
reached out and claimed another strip
of hostile ground west of Merris. This
advance reached a maximum depth Of
about half a mile and extended along
front Of 1900 yards.
Salient Eliminated.
AS a result the British positions
have been greatly improved and a
small salient, which had been left in
the line. after Tuesdays attack, has
been eliminated.
Yesterdays operation was a case Of
being able to seize an opportunity
when it was presented. At one point
four Australians ventured across no
mans land and by quick assault on the
enemy's defense line captured be-
tween thirty and forty prisoners.
troops was sent forward to exploit
the victory. The British line was
pushed forward without much Qpposi-
ton and more than $50 prisoners. with
number of machine guns, had been
captured up to today.
This morning the operations were
still being continued at various points
and one strong position was captured
southwest of Merris. For some time
the British in this sector have had
complete control Of no mans land.
and the Germans hardly have dared
show their heads.
Discipline Not Up to Mark.
Prisoners say that the discipline of
their troops in this zone is not up to
the mark. Recently some Older men
of the 4th Bavarian Division refuses
point blank to go into the line again
Franz of Bavaria. 1t appears that the
prince previously had made them dis
gruntled by several severe lectures
because they had allowed the British
to capture SO many prisoners.
The death of the famous British
aviator. Maj. James B. McCudden.
has cast a gloom over the British air
service. in which he was a prime
favorite. McCudden, who had been
credited with fifty-eight aerial VIC
tories. was killed July 9. when some
thing went wrong with his single-seater
machine while he was flying at low
altitude. Just what the trouble was has
not been determined. but Maj. Nc
Cudden's machine crashed to the
ground near a village in northern
France and he was killed almost in
stantly. He had just flown bacls to
the front from Scotland, and was to
have taken over a new command. His
airplane had barely risen from the
ground to continue the journey when
the accident occurred.
Maj. McCuddens record comprised
forty-five enemy planes that crashed
to the earth and thirteen that were
sent down out Of control. He prob
ably downed still more. but only the
certainties are permitted in an air.
, mans tally.
The major was cool and precise in
his methods and sure shot. He
also was q great believer in team
work. but often went out alone. in
search of hostile airmen after his
regular days work was done.