Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-24
GERMAN REVERSE
Continued From Pace Qnal

~~'AA ~ AS1A 1A4VkJA
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ty was one Of the places where the Ger
mans should have doubled their
strength. The fighting to the south of
the region began in the night. wien
strong British forces a!ssailed Comic
court just a few minutes hefory the
Germans had anticipated launching an
attack IT the same place. Coz, ecourt
was British at daylight. As it happen
ed. the British upset all the el.emy
plans, and after killing many G,rmans
and capturing 500 in the town Of Comic
court alone. FELL Marshal Haig's men
continued their forward novt ment and
at last reports were pushing steadily
onward.
Gomiecourt. by reason of IS terrain
apparently was considered the pivot of
a turning movement, for, once having
taken It, the British sent troops swing
ing down south in the direction of Ba-
paume The Germans on this norton
OF the battle front were badly disor-
canned. There were Germans all over
the place, but they seemed to have no
idea OF communicating. Some appar-
emily did not even know exactly where
they were.
The lighting south of Gom.ecourt to-
day was especially severe. Incidentally
this movement cut in around the rear OF
Achiet lie Grand. At the same time the
British here. having launched another
frontal attack on the enemy's strong
hold, were again in hard fighting. While
the battle was raging here airplanes
were helping the fighters on the ground
by dropping bombs or using machine
guns on the enemy
Among other things obtained were
several direct hits on a building at
&c rear of which were a number OF
touring cars. The building apparent
~ was German Headquarters
South of Achiet T.e Grand the British
did no. start today's operations so
carly as farther north. Tho New
Iealanders here stopped work to let
q German counter attack develop
They playei dead until the advancing
enemy infantry was almost on top of
them. Then they put down heav-f
'htefibV Sun b1l a Sc just AZ tnP rear
Of the Germans who surrendered in \
body rather than be killed in their
tracks. This happened just north of
Aliraumont. Many of the prisoners
We're ron commissioned officers and
all of them appeared to be glad that
they had been captured. When
asked about the Austrians the pris-
crers expressed the greatest con-
tempt for their allies as soldiers, say
jng they were no good whatever.
Slightly to the south the British have
crossed the Ancre River and started
hack in the general direction of
Courcelotte. Already they are re-
ported to be southeast of Grand
court. This move menaces from the
rear the German stronghold ct Thiep-
':al which is an old fortress
At Albert the British pushed for
ward toward Tara Hill at the back of
that town. An airplane report about
noon said the British troops held the
entire position. About the same time
German shells started breaking on
Tara while the shrapnel could be
seen bursting some distance further
Inside Of it showing where the enc
rly had been driven. Considerable
numbers OF prisoners are taken in
this location.
The British troops seem to be pro
crossing well up the road from Al
bert to Bap1ume. Welsh troops are
participating in the lighting in this
ntiChborhood. South of Albert.
Meaulte appears to he in British
lands. having been captured early in
she day. Thence the line extends
with break where the
Germans last evening managed to
take Happy Valley Just northwest of
TRAY by throwing in fresh troops OF
the o5th division which apparently
we're brought up for this special pur-
lose. The Germans suffered heavily
here. Happy Valley truly is a
shamhles. Its name bellies it. South
of the Somme the Australians were
most successful in the part they
,laved in today's battle. They easily
STAINED all their detectives and ap-
hold Chuignales, Chuignes
ard Herleville and are pushing out
ward of these villages little dis
lance to make sule of holding them.
In this region SO German officers
md 1900 men of other ranks were
made prisoner. II of the captured Of
ocers were from one regiment. The
Germans offered heavy resistance at
but with the assistance
~ tanks the British hammered
.broueh the enemy and swept on,
Loving the towns and its envions
nl,ed with dead Germans.
or tho ridge south Of this town
.,ore also was fierce fighting which
.,,,ost reached the hand to hand
stope before the Australians mace
- rlear to the Germans that they