Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-24
Isy Associated Press.1

WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE. August 90 $3.50 p. Nh
Victorious on u battle front of twenty
three miles: extending from the Co5eul
River on the north. across the Ancre
and Somme Rivers. almost to Lihons.
the Third and Fourth British Armies.
under Generals Byng and Rawlinson, at
midafternoon were vigorously follow
ing up their successes Of to-day, which
disastrous days ever experienced by
the Germans.
The enemy has lost wide stretches Of
ground. numerous towns. thousands of
men made prisoner and large quanti-
ties OF materials and guns. He also
again has. had heavy casualties.
Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria,
the German commander. has thrown his
men in before the advancing British
armies in an effort to stave off tho in
eVitaele. but only to have them moved
metal which poured from the British
guns. One entire enemy battalion was
annthilated during the lighting.
Dead Germans in great numbers ara
scattered everywhere over the battle
field. AS an example. 400 enemy dead
were observed this morning on one
small piece of ground over which the
battle had swept.
With all this fierce lighting and not
withsta nding the fact that tho British
at many places have fought over opea
ground against an enemy protected III
pot holes" and strong points OF other
kinds. the British losses everywhere
seem to have been extraordinarily
light. This probably is due to the con-
hind their lines as they are fighting
n losing battle which. for them. hourly
grows more disastrous.
Crown Prince Rupprecht to-day ia I
strengthened his line at many places
but this. instead of stopping the Brit
ish. simply meant that the Germans
suffered bigger losses.
BATTLE FRONT EXTENDED
~
During the night and this morning
the front upon which the battle was
being fought yesterday was widened
appreciably. both to the north and the
die, between Albert and Beaucourt-s9r-
Ancrc, which heretofore had been fairly
quiet. suddenly was drawn into the
whirl.
From the northern edge OF the battle
field to the south the situation at last
reports seemed to be as follows: New
attacks from the River Cojeul nnd
south carried the British across the
The British apparently hold Boiry-
Becauerelle and Boyelles and have
passed beyond the Arras- Bapaume roud.
The troops jus, 10 the south. who
for two days had been fighting for
and afterwards from the embankment
siormed forward and reached Hamelin-
court and are pushing on toward Ervil-
lers. st. LeEer and Croisilles. Air
planes reported that British tanks had
crossed the road between ErvtllerS and
st. LeEer, while some infantry was re-
ported to be less than 1000 yards west
of Ervillers some hours ago.
At about that time an airplane re-
ported that the Germans had disap-
peared from their positions northwest
OF st. Leger and between that town and
Hamel!ncourt and that the lighting
British found time in the midst Of
their task TO cheer heartily.
mans. rather sNsn suaer more here:
where they have met with some OF
their heaviest losses. decided 10 get
out This locality was one OF the
places where the Germans had doubted
their strength.
BRITISH CAPTURE 800
GERMANS IN GOMMECOCRT
The fighting TO the south OF this re-
g!on began III the night when strong
British forces aSsai!ed Com ulecourt just
few minutes before the Germans had
anticipated launching an attack A; the
same place. Gommecou!t was British
AZ daylight AS il happened the Brit
!sh upset all the enemy plans. and.
turing 500 in the town OF Gommecourt
alone Field Marshal Haigs men con-
tinucd their forward movement and al
las: reports were pushing steadily on
ward.
Gommecourt by reason OF it's terrain.
apparently was considered The pivot
ing taken II. the British sent troops
swinging down south in the direction
Of Bapaume. The Germans on this por-
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