The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-12
ENEMY FIGHTS
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Noyon, the French continue to press
on for good gains.
Ieavy counter attacks are being
made by the Germans against the
British front from east of Morlancourt
to the vicinity of Lihons, west - of
Chaulnes. Field Marshal Haig's men
apparently have made little progress
in the past twenty-four hours, but
their pressure has not slackened.
French Threaten Noyon.
On the southern end of the battle
field the French have carried out an
average advance of two miles on q
front Of about Is miles and threaten
seriously the German hold on Roye.
Lassigny and Noyon. Here also the
German resistance is growing SITTER.
Apparently the German command is
determined for the moment to make
the allies fight hard for further gains.
Meanwhile, however, the retirement
from the southern end of the front
continues and the Germans attempt
to stand may be only for the purpose
of preventing the complete rout of
General Won Hutier's army, which re-
treated from the Montdidier salient
early Saturday. Aviators report heavy
movements of troops and transport
toward the east.
German attacks have been strong
aud repeated around Lihons. The
enemy forced his way into the western
side of the village, but later was driv-
en- out, The British positions were
maintained after hard fighting. Seem
ingly the German purpose here is to
protect their junction at Chaulnes
thru which all the troops from the
Roye region must pass. However, the
railroad is al no point more than three
miles from the allied line from north
west Of <Chaulnes to southwest of
Rove. the most irnn0rfant Nf
the line from a German standpoint
By striving to hold the British the
Z srlnans also protect the pocket
which was beginning to grow unsafe.
between the Somme and Arras.
All the railroad lines leading out Of
Roye are now within easy cannon
range Of allied guns and French
troops are at Andechy, three miles to
the west and within less than four
miles from the southwest where they
have, crossed the last barrier of hitls
Lassigny. between. Roye and Noyon, IS
within two and one-half miles of the
French on the west and south. 1t is
an important position south of the
Noyon. The French are fighting their
way up the Disc and are within five
miles of the town.
Noyon Vital Point.
Noyon is important not only in its
relations to the present battle line, but
to the German position eastward to-
ward Rheims, and the enemy is fight
ing desperately to stay the French adj
vance toward it. The fall of Noyon
undoubtedly would compel a rear
rangement of the enemy line eastward.
Unoff1cially, the allies have taken
10000 prisoners and 700 guns. Since
the beginning of the German offensive
on the Marine, four weeks ago today,
the enemy has lost nearly $4,000 pris-
OnQrS and Over goo guns.
Berlin reports the fighting as grow
ing more bitter and says-that SUNDAY
all alfsAd efforts failed. One German
newspaper calls the present battle the
first. serious defeat of the war; n
Between scissors and Rheims. the
Germans are apparently prepared tS
hold fast and the French and Ameri :
cans are making no attacks in force.
The German artillery fire has been
much heavier. Enemy preparations
for an attack Sunday were stopped by