The sun., 1918-07-13
FOCH'S ARMIES
NOW IN CASTEL
ANDLONGPONT'
Amazing Success of Sys.
tematic Sorties Suggests
Grand Strategic Plan.
BRITISH WIN THRCSTS
Allies Lines Advancing in
Several Sectors, but Berlin
Claims Repulse of Raids.

LONDON, July 12.-Attacking in con-
siderable force to-day on front that
has been quiet for a long time north
west OF Montdidier the French drove
forward on a line of about three miles
and penetrated to a depth Of a mile
and quarter. capturing the village OF
Cestel, the Anchin farm, a number OF
other strong German positions and 500
prisoners. This sector extends from
Castel, one of the gateways to Amiens,
down nearly to- Mailly- -Raineval, where
IL joins the American section west
and northwest OF Montdidier, and it is
very likely that American troops, II
not American units. took part in the
operation.
1t was at Grivesnes. just south Of
Maily-Raineval, and Cantigny, a little
further south, that the first notable
successes of American troops were
achieved The fine success Of the Aus
tralians and Americans recently was
about Hamel, Immediately adjoining
this area on the northeast.
In the Scissors sector the French con-
tinued their gains. capturing the village
OF 1.6ngpont, south Of Corey. and making
further progress to the north Of the last
named village, at Chavigny farm. East
OF Farerolles also the Allies lines were
advanced.
Fighting Near Ypres.
Berlin reports lively patrol lighting on
the British front, but the attacks were
scattering and OF little Importance. This
fighting extended from the vicinity OF
Ypres down below Albert
Although these numerous French
drives. hrst on one sector then on an
other. are commonly referred to as local
operations, their amazing success and a
certain uniformity in their character.
which extends also TO the American and
British attacks. make them begin to look
more like a part OF grand strategic
plan which has been adopted by Gen.
Foch and is being worked out as rapidly
as circumstances permit,
Many OF these actions. notably the one
to-day. would have been ranked az bat
ties not long ago and every one OF them
, shows a definite aim which seems TO be
part OF a broad plan. Practically every
one has been successful. showing that
they were carefully prepared and were
| different in character from the usual pa
troll raids.
French Dominate the Avre.
The French success to-day gives them
command OF the high ground immedi-
ately west OF the Avre river from which
they dominate the valley OF THAT stream,
| here running nearly north. and the town
of Moreuil. on the east bank. They now
hold one Of the strongest positions i'm
media tely east or southeast OF Amiens.
The Associated Press correspondent
with the British army IN France says
, British operations In the Merris sector
since Tuesday have brouSht the line
, forward TO within about quarter of a
mile west OF that important hamlet and
secured for the British complete obser-
walton of German positions in the viii
lage.
on Tuesday Australian units pushed
! forward northwest of Merris along a
/ front OF l 200 yards to a depth OF ESQ
yards and drove the enemy from the
high ground overlooking Merris. Yes
terday the British infantry again
reached out and claimed another strip
OF hostile ground west OF Merris. This
advance reached a maximum depth OF
about half a mile and extended along a
front OF 1900 yards.
AS a result the British positions have
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