The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-08-24
BRZ1ZSHARE WZTHZVTWO MILES OFBAPAUDlE
FRENCH MA Y TAKE VOY9V AT ANY MOMENT
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUMMARY OF THE WAR
(By Associated Press.l

British troops along the extreme
northern sectors of the battle line
in Picardy and Artois are advancing
at a comparatively rapid rate. Their
attack in the Albert region was con-
tinued early this morning.
According to unofficial reports
from the field the British have
reached the village of Henin, on the
Coieui river five miles southeast of
Arras.
They also have advanced further
to the south and are in the outskirts
of the town of St. Leger.
Advancing Britons appear to be
closing in on Bapaume, the reputed
keystone of the German positions
between Arras and the Somnne. The
Germans have been forced to give
up towns just to the north of Bap-
aume while the British are reported
to be operating to the west of the
town.
II is officially reported that in the
fighting since Wednesday morning,
when the offensive began in this
sector, the British have taken more
than 1900 prisoners. 1t is stated
IN unofficial adVioes that whole bat
teries OF heavy guns have been TAX
SH OEBt IiBG GUGTIYv
south Of the SorTrne and between
the oise and the Aisne artillery dueIs
French patrols operating in Lor-
raine, have penetrated German
trenches at many points.
overcoming enemy resistance
with smashIns blows the allied forces
between Arras and Scissors are
moving steadily forward. The men,
ace TO the German positions on the
fifty mile front increases hourly as
the allies take thousands of pris-
oners and inflict heavy losses.
On the. north, having hurled the
Germans from more or less import
British are nearing Bapaume and
threatening the outlying defences Of
PeTonne. The fall Of Bapaume, il is
said, would be a disaster to the en-
eny. Field Marshal Haig's men now
are but little more than two miles
away on the northwest, having TAX
on Achiet le Grand and Bihueourt
in determined fighting.
West of Noyon the French forced
a crossing of the Divette at Evr-
court, three miles from Noyon, they
maintain their strong pressure from
the south and east. Between the
General Mangin's troops are press
ing CLOSE to the heights dominating
the Chemin des DANES from the
west, including the menace to the
German positions along the Vesle.
ON OLD BATTLEFIELD!
The British third and fourth ar
mics are fighting over the old bat
tIefieId of the Somme and are MAX
ing marked progress in fighting
which resembles in Intensity the
first days Of the drive of July, 1915.
They have crossed the Albert -Arras
road over most Of it's length. They
have seized the high ground north,
west and southwest of 6apaume and
have surrounded the important pa-
sitions of Thiepval, on three sides.
North and south of the Somme
they are closing on Bray. They
hold the heights 70 the northwest.
South Of the river they have taken
on the north bank. In the area of
Lihons the British are east of Her
Ieviiie.
From ChauInes to south of Roye,
the battle line remains unchanged.
French and British guns are pour
ing heavy fire into and behind the
front here, the stability of which is
seriously shaken by the allied prog
ress TO the north and south. Noyon
is still in the hands of the enemy
but it's usefulness wanes as the
French artillery bombards IL and
the armies of Generals Humbert and
mangin move toward it.
On the front north Of scissors
General Manain apparently is giving
most attention TO shaping the salient
which has ite apex immediately
north of Soissons. He has gained
further ground east of Bagneux and
west Of Crecy au Mont toward the
Soissons- Chauny road. Any ad.
vance here adds to the vulnerability
Of the German line eastward from
Scissors.
PREPARING TO RETIRE.
Fires are reported burning behind
the German position north of the
Vesle and it Is believed the enemy
may be preparing TO retire. Infan-
Try and transports have been OBJ |
served moving northWard from the !
VesIe in the last few days. Ameri- |
can and French pressure continues |
have gained some more ground in |
the area about Fismis in a local en-
"Everything is going we'll. We |
have begun our action and we shall !
continue" These are the words of |
Foeh whose strategy has
placed the Germans in their present |
position. While the fight
ing has been raging on the front |
rom Ypres to Rheims, the stretch |
from Rheims to Switzerland, where !
American troops hold many sectors,
nae been quiet. A blow by the Am |
orleans on the line east and south of
Rheims would not surprise some OBJ
servers In Washington.
For five weeks now Marshal Focn |
has held the Initiative and the Ger
mans have suffered probably the
nost severe setbacks and have lost
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