The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-09-10
Rapid Advance Eastward
After Crozat Canal Was
Crossed
BRITISH ALSO
MAKE PROGRESS
Trying To Turn Flank OF
The Germans Defend !
ing Cambria


Fast progress was made by the
French yesterday in closing in upon
both st. Quentin and La Fere, i'm
portant German strongholds along ths
southern section of the Hindenburg
line. They are within two miles of
La Fers and within three and a half
miles Of st, Quentin.
In the region of La Fere the French
are pushing toward the north Of the
formidable st. Gobain bastion defend
ing LAon. They have made a con-
siderable impression on this powerful
position by direct pressure, In the
Servais sector to the south Of La
Fere.
The servais station was captured
yesterday and by taking Briquettay.
further south, General Petain's troops
have advanced to within little more
than mile Of the town of st. Gobain,
one one Of the highest points OF the
bastion.
Near Laffaux, around the bend in
the line to the south of the bastion
the French made some further prog
ress to the north of the town.
Laon Is Objective. \
The headway thus made in encir-
cling the st. Gobain positions consti-
tuted the most important feature Of
yesterdays operations because of the
fact that the objective In this sector
Is unqueationably the German base
at LAon, the keystone of the whole
German defensive system.
A more spectacular move by the
French armies, however, was effected
further north. Having forced on
Sunday, a passage OF the ,Crozat canal
on the line opposite the La Fere-St.
Quentin front, Monday Witnessed
rapid development of ,the forward
push until by evening advances of
well towards five miles beyond the
canal had been scored by the French
at some points.
Five Towns Taken.
Five towns were taken in this re-
gion, including Essigny-Le Grand, di-
rectly south OF st. Quentin and only
three and a half miles distant. To
the north, beyond Rheims, Etreillers
and Roupy were taken while the
French forces in closing in on La Fere
captured the Liez fort, northeast Of
Liez and important wooded land
within two mile sof La Fsre.
On the Franco-Ameriean front, Just
to the south OF the Aisne there Was
an Improvement in the allied position
in the Glennes region.
On the British front, Field Marshal
Haig's troops made headWay in their
turning movement south OF Havrif1-
court where the left flank of the Ger
man positions behind the Canal Du
Nord, defending Cambria on the wess,
is being assailed. A German counter
attack on the new British positions
along the Hindenburg line near Gou-
zeaucourt southeast OF Havrincourr,
was completely repuIsed. In Flanders
the British are continuing their pres
sure in the direction Of Armentieres
and last night they achieved advances
north and west of that town. North
east of Neuve Chapelle they also
moved forward.
The French Report.
Paris, Sept. 10.-Important prog
ress toward the southern end OF the
line in the neighborfood
of La Fere north Of the st. Bobafn
was made by the Trench
forces today. The war office last
night announced the capture OF the
Liez fort, northeast Of the town of
Liez, and OF wooded regions to the
east and southeast OF Liez, within
two miles Of La. Fere.
Additional ground was gained Ia
the ST. Gobain region south OF the
Olse where the Servais station was