The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-21
Go In Several Miles on q
Front of Ten.
Line Attacked Had Been Quiet
Sector for Some Time.
ATTACKED IN 4 HEAVY MIST
Threatens German Lines Far
ther South in PicSrdy.
British Are Reported To Be 3
Miles From Bapaume.
CBv the Associated Press.)

(Bv the Associated Press.)
British forces struck the Ger
mans over a front of approx
mately ten miles on the line
southwest of Arras at dawn this
morning.
According to meager details
received from the scene of the
new assault the British have ad-
vanced from two to three miles
and have captured the towns of
Moyenneville, Courcelles, Achiet-
Le-Petit and Beaucourt = Sur
Ancre and have reached the town
of Achiet-Le-Grand.
The assault was begun under
cover of a mist which materially
assisted the British in their ad-
vance. There was a very brief
artillery preparation and it
would appear that the plan Of at
tacks was similar to that follow
ed south of the Aisne, July 18,
and north of Montdidier, August
8. A large number of tanks par
ticipated in the attack.
Unofficial dispatches appear
to indicate that the British ad-
vance has carried the battle line
up to point three miles from
Rapaume, reputed to be. an I'M
portant German base in the
northern Picardy sector.
Threatens Line Farther South.
If the British drive continues to
press the Germans back along the
northern side of the Picardy salient,
the enemy forces further south would
appear to be in a serious posiuoh.
They are at present holding back the
French and British along a, line west
of and parallel to the Somme, ana
north of that river they have been
desperately resisting allied attacks as
far north as Albert The new advance
seems to have placed the northern
section of the enemy's- front in great
danger ~
London, Aug. 21-An attack on
wide front north of the Ancre river
was launched by the British forces
this morning, says the official state
ment from Field Marshal Haig today.
satisfactory progress is being made,
the statement adds.
British forces have captured Cour-
celles Achiet-Le-Petit, and have
reached Moyenville and Beaumont
Sur-Ancre in their drive which began
this morning, north of the Ancre
river. according to advices from the
front.
The British attack this morning was
between MoyenVille and Beaucourt-
Sur-Ancre a distance of about 10
miles. It is reported that the British
have advanced from to 8 miles along
this front.
>On a Ten Mile Front.
tBF the Associated Press)
British Headquarters in France.
Aug 2l-Field Marshal Haig this
morning launched an offensive on a
front of about 10 miles. The high
contour between Adinfer and Moyen-
VILE was the northern zone of attack,
and Mont the southern
landmark of the front. The enemy
y here lately has been Withdrawing il
order to increase the depth of his de-
fenses.
In the first hour of the offensive be-
gun this morning by Field Marshal
Haig, the British troops captured the
towns of AbIainezve1le, Beaucourt and
AIoyehville.- The British attacked on
a front of ten miles between Arras
and Albert. The attacks extended
from the Ancre river at Beaucourt to
Just north of Moyenville.
Had Been Quiet sector.
There has not been any heavy fight
ing recently on the line north of the
Ancre. altho the Germans some days
ago retired slightly on the front be-
tween Beaumont, Hamme1 and Buc
quoy. There has been more or less
l'aiding activity, however. The bat
tie front from north of the Ancre te
north of Lens has not seen as great q
change as other sectors between
Ypres and Rheims since the beginning
of the German offensive March 21.
In making an attack here it would
appear that Marshal Foch is striv-
ing to break the old German line ir
the Arras area. Any considerable for
ward movement here would menace
the German positions north and south
for many miles. Strategicaily blow
here would seem to be a companion
one to the French offensive south o.
the Disc and strong attempt to force
the Germans to retire all along the
line
Greatest Threat to Hun Lines.
(By tie Associated Press.l
French progress on the vital sector
between the Oise and scissors bids fasl
to bring about a cracking of the Ger
man defensive system from Ypres t.
Rheims Marshal Foch has connected
up his Marine and ardyNsuccesse
with a new triumph which appear
to be a greater threat than either n
the others.
In the new major operation betweei
ar.rNl