Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-08-24
$4,000 HUNS
TAKEN;DRIvE
GAINS SPEED
Towns and Villages Being
Occupied by Haig Men
in Rapid Fashion.

London, Aug. 2l.-British at
tackS on the Picardy front
were resumed this morning ac-
cOrding to one Of the state
mentS issued by the war office
which says that the British
have made progress.
In the fighting during the
last three days the British
have captured 1900 prisoners.
British forces are within two
miles of Bapaume, according to
dispatches received in London
today.
The British third army is
advancing very rapidly. II has
gone forward in some places 10
the depth of four miles on
front OF II miles.
The British fourth army Is
on the outskirts OF Bray where
heavy fighting is proceeding.
Field Marshal Ilaig'S forces
are fighting on the slopes Of
ThiepvaI ridge and along the
eastern bank OF the Ancre
river north OF Albert where
British patrols have entered
the town OF MiraumOnt- From
the latter village the British
line runs to BihucOurt. thence
10 ErVillers. which Is in Brit
ish hands and then TO BOyelles
and BOiry- -Becquerelle. Joining
the old line near Mercatel.
with the British Army in France
Aug. "a (By the Associated
Press BRAY is reported to have
been captured by the British.
Several thousand German pris-
oners have passed through the
cages behind General Byng's third
army today. No effort to count
the guns captured has been made
up to this time.
Up 10 this time the British were
smashing through the German po-
sitions this morning all along the
battlefront.
Towns Taken Rapidly.
The British are reported to have
captured Becordel and 70 have
reached the high ground south
west OF Fricourt. The British hag1
passed we'll beyond Happy Vale.
llt elLudA4OI a nv w al - -
uncertain this morning La Bois-
selle and Orvillers were reported
to have been wrested from the en-
emv
The British are reported to have
reached Biefviller. one and one
quarter miles from Bapaume
Fighting IS going on there and in
the vicinity of Mory. some distance
to the east Of the Arras Bapaume
road.
Foe Tries to Save Bapaume.
A battle is raging furiousIy in the
vicinity OF B.hucourt and Sapig-
nies, The Germans are trying des-
perately to save Bapaum..
Guns Taken by Wholesale.
A large number of cannon. in
cluding complete batteries of how
tiers and trench mortars, have
been captured by the British north
of the Somme. Immediately south
of the river the British have taken
y cannon.
The village OF Behagnies. two
miles and a half north OF Bapaume
on the Bapaume-Arras highway. has
been reached by the British Brit
ish forces are operating east OF Bi-
.hucourt within two miles and
half OF Bapaume, on the west
British forces are reported 10
have reached points east of Henin.
on the Cojeul river. five miles
southeast OF Arras. They are in the
outskirts Of ST. Lager. further
south. and have captured Eryillers.
two miles east OF CourCellcs. They
are still advancing.
The battle continued successfully
for the allied arms last night The
British advanced everywhere and
the enemy suffered heavy defeats.
Achiet-Le-Grand Occupied.
Achiet-Le-Grand was reported
taken late yesterday after heavy
lighting The British advanced be
yond Bihucourt
At the same time the British
were reported 10 be still driving the
confused Germans before them east
Of Henin and further south Of ST.
Leger and Ervillers
sharp fighting has taken place
5long the Irles-Grey Hers road. The
Germans are reported cling'ng 70
MiramOnt. on the Ancre northeast
OF Albert and 90 be fighting des
peratelv
Drive SHrI rise To Foe.
German prisoners say that it was
expected by them that the British
would siop al the Arras-Albert rail
road and 'ne unexpected success.
against them had confused the Ger
man fL-,es
Tired ana depleted German di-
visions thet had heen withdrawn
from a battle since Aug. are he