New-York tribune., 1918-08-26
(Sv The Associafcd p,ess,

e'''N
(5y The associated Presq)
WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE, Aug % The British CON
tinue smashing the Germans toward
the old Hndenburg line, which has all
most been reached in the northern bat
tie zone. The defences of Bapaumc
have either already been captured, or
are in process of being captured.
Bapaumc itself must fall shortly.
Meanwhile some Of the heaviest
fighting of the war is going on in this
section of the battlefront, for the Ger
mans are loath to part with The town
which has great strategic value
Warlencourt. an important position
just south of Bapaume on the road to
Albert which has been widely crossed
was taken by the British after a bit
ter struggle in which the Germans suf-
fered very severe losses.
Great numbers Of the enemy were
captured during the day, among them
large party from the Sd German
Naval Division.
SO fast was the British advance last
night and to-day that it is impossible
to be certain whore the front lines
will be located from one hour to the
next.
The Germans exhibit signs of crack
ing at some places, but are offering
desperate resistance. Many more guns,
some of large calbre, have been tax
en-. One British corps alone has count
ed eighty guns.
There is evidence of confusion in
the enemy rear. Units of the same
divisions hurled into the battle have
been taken at points separated by
many miles. Quantities of material are
falling into British hands because the
Roche has not troubled to apply the
torch or explosives.
Pozieres. to the north of Albert, fell
this morning. British patrols were
seen entering Martnpuich, where ap-
parently the Boche made good his
escape
High Wood. a strong position near
Longueval northwest of Combles) is
reported captured, while Eaucourt
lAbbaye, Contalmason and Courcel-
cite have been occupied by the British
Battle Within a Battle
Sapignes is completely in British
hands after hard fighting. At last re
ports local battle within the big bat
tie was being fought at Mory and its
environs. where the lines run through
the town.
st. Leger was captured and left far
behind. After having once been re-
ported in Croisilles the British with
drew to the outskirts. The Germans
counter attacked heavily and the Brit
ish retired to the edge of the town and
poured shells into the place while
pressing forward on the sides.
This practice of Withdrawing from
any place where heavy counter attacks
are being delivered, then Smelling the
area and driving past to the north and
south, eventually getting 'nco q posi-
tlon somewhere near the rear. has
given wonderful results not only in
saving British troops, but in netting
large numbers of German prisoners or
in killing Germans.
At Neuville- -Vitasse and almost up
to the Scarpe, the line at last reports
received at headquarters ran through
the outskirts of the village and severe
fighting Yeats in progress there.
Tanks Stripped of Paint
The Bapaume -Peronne road was at
tackled by British armored cars, which
during the last twenty-four hours have
been performing wonderful service,
scouting far ahead of the infantry.
Some of them have dashed through the
country, overtaking retreating enemy
transport columns and intlicting ter
rife damage upon them and bodies of
troops with their machine guns
Cooperating with the armored cars,
the tanks again have been heavily in
action, some Of them rolling into towns
in advance of the infantry sweeping
over the debris and finishing off enemy
strong points in the face OF perfect
deluge OF fire.
Many tanks have returned to their
lines with all the paint shot off their
steel sides by machine gun bullets. AT
some points the Germans approached
the tanks as soon as they saw them,
with hands high above their heads,
fearfully shouting, "kamerad."
Foe Keen to Surrender
When Thiepval Ridge fell into Brit
ish hands yesterday the troops pressed
forward at both sides and large num-
ber Of Germans were pinched. They
promptly threw away their shrapnel
helmets and other equipment, and with
out even guards, walked toward the
British rear. In the neighborhood Of
Ihiepval British detachment during
the early part Of the advance managed
TO reach Pys, but soon found itself sur
rounded on all sides by the enemy
An airplane saw the attachments
plight and dropped message, stick
II, and soon after heavy British for
nations attacked at this point and
drove of the Germans, relieving their
hard pressed comrades
Since then Pys has been left well
behind. Pozieres southeast of Thiep-
val, fell this morning, and later Ma
metz was occupied. as we'll as Martin
pulch. There was no sign OF the Boche
around Martinpuich, although Just to
the south bitter fighting continues.
Everywhere the Boche is taking ad-
vantage of shell craters, and these
ready made strong points have in many
cases caused considerable trouble be
fore being silenced The craters west
of La Boisselle were especially trouble
some. One large one, after holding
out for several hours, fell during the
night, while other smaller holes were
silcnced al daybreak.
The worst Of this she'll crater country
Is being passed at many points, how
ever, and there is Il prospect that the
ground may be more favorable to the
British.