Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-08-20
FRENCH CAPTURE
LASS|GNY HILLS
AFTER HARD FIGHT
New Hun Retreat in Picardy Be-
Iieved Near.
ENTIRE LINE IS PERlLED
Artillery of Allies Now Dominates
Town and Roads Beyond-Haig Re-
ports Capture of $4,000 Pris-
oners and 600 Guns.

London, Aug 14-Since the allied
offensive began on the MOntdidier-
Amiens sector August the total cap
ture by the French First army and the
British Fourth army have aggregated
$4,000 men and 600 guns, says Field
Marshal Haig's communication from
headquarters. The communication
adds that the day passed in compare
tive quiet on the battle front.
French Hold Heights of Lassigny.
The Heights of Lassigny, the strong
hold on which the left flank of the
German armies in the Picardy fighting
rested is in the hands of the French.
The artillery of the allies now domi-
mates the town of Lassigny and the
ioads beyond After stubborn fighting
the French have repulsed a heavy Ger
man counter-attack on LaSsigny mas
sif.
1t now seems inevitable that the
Germans must again break into re-
treat, or else hurl their dwindling re-
serves forward in an attempt to retake
the massif of Lassigny.
Cleared From Heights.
The French official communique re-
veals that the enemy practically has
been cleared from this high ground
since it is announced that the French
have gained footing in the park of
Plessier de Roye, on the extreme
northern end of the heights, and with
In mile of the town of Lassigny.
Furthermore, more ground has been
gained southeast of here, and a re-
newed advance undoubtedly will spell
the doom of Noyon.
Line May crumbIe.
In some quarters here it is expect
ed the entire line of present enemy re-
sistance will crumble, now that the
anchor, or picot point at Lassigny has
been won by General Foch's troops.
Control Divette Valley.
The French, by gaining control Of
the massif of Lassigny now command
not only Lassigny but the valley of the
Divette, as well as the entire district
to the north.
The capture of the massif must in
evitably have the most serious effect
on the German positions over a wide
area, and this effect should begin to
show within 4S hours.
Expect Roye to Fall.
In the opinion of experts here the
evacuation of Roye may be expected
within a day or two, for the town is
now under a cross fire. The abandon
ment of Roye by the Germans would
also make Chaulnes difficult to hold.
Thus recent history on the Marine
is. counted upon to repeat itself on
this new front.
In the region of Des Loges, south
of Roye, the French are consolidating
their line. They hold the town, but
have not yet regained the woods be-
yOnd.
The French gains on the Lassigny
massif already have forced the Ger
trenches in the valley of the Disc and
are calculated to force further evacu-
ations almost Immediately. NoyOn
will come under the fire of the French
guns as soon as the artillery can be
moved up. Then the road transports
on the whole network of highways
around Noyon will become a difficult
problem for the Germans.
The Germans have evacuated their
trenches in the bend of the river west
of Bailly and the French are occupy
ing them. The move has been forced
by French pressure in the valley of
the Disc.
First Phase of Battle Over.
With the French Army in France,
Aug. 1.-THE sterilization of the line
on the old RoyeLassigny front is con-
sidered as the closing feature of the
first phase of the battle of the Avre.
The second phase awaits only the ar
rival of needed requirements and
material. Reports from aviators state
that the disorder on all roads leading
to the rear of the German front is
understandable. Every crossroad con-
stituteS an admirable target for the
airmen.
AviatOrs, after serving to replace
heavy artillery by bombing front areas
are now aiding the infantry and cav
airy. When these forces are stopped
at machine gun nests airmen. flying
low, drive the gunners from their
posts. Then the infantry or cavalry
rush in and capture the guns before
the enemy can resume fire. All
through the battle of the Avre the
allies appear to have been masters of
the air over the battlefield Few Ger
man machines have crossed the line
and of these not many nave got back.
Foe Destroying Villages.
London Aug. 14.-The enemy is re-
ported deStr wing villages In his rear.
The ruins of Peronne are reported to
be burning. Fires have been observed
by the allied airmen at various points.
Heavy loocl fighting is reported at
lFismettes on the north bank of the
lVesle, where the Franco-American
forces are holding their lines The