The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-15
Germans Fight Desperately
to Stop Advance of
Allied Forces.
AUSTRALIANS IN BRAY
Foe Driven to PlemOnt
on Old Hindenburg
Battle Line.
FIGHT ON 85 MILE FRONT
Gas Shells Being Used in Ef-
fort to Drive British From
MOrlancOurt.
ON 85 MILE FRONT


the British capital to-day that the
French under Gen. Humbert had en-
tered Iasslgny, ut the southern end
of the Picardy battle front. This
town has been the objective of the
French forces for the last three days,
and while its occupation has not been
officially confirmed the unofficial an
nouncement generally Is accepted by
the military critics as news of an
accomplished fact.
The French forces already had
cleared the massif, or ridge, to the
south and west of the town and in
the official announcements yesterday
1t was stated that with the massif In
the possession Of the French the
Germans would find their position in
the town itself untenable.
The French also captured Ribecourt
to-day. This town is on the Oise
River short distance west Of the
point at which the old Hindenburg
line crossed the river. Ribecourt is
on the Noyon road. six and quarter
miles southwest Of that town.
With Lassigny and Ribecourt in
French hands 1t Is not considered
likely that Nsyon can long hold out.
Already the roads leading into that
town are commanded by the French
guns and its evacuation Is momen-
tarily expected
Germans Forced 10 Retire.
In the northern area of the battle
field, where the British. Anne ericans
and Australians are fighting together
on the allied side, the Germans have
evacuated their positions at Beau
mont Hamel, Serre, PuisieuX -au Mont
and BucQuoy. All these towns are in
the region north OF Albert. East Of
Meteren in Flanders the British line
was advanced slightly. while east of
NieuN- Berquin. to the south Of Met
eren, British patrols pushed their lines
forward. German counter attacks in
this sector were repulsed
The Australians are now in possession
of the western outskirts OF Bray and
Etinehem, which gives the British guns
command of the Somme River to the
southwest. The Australians also cleared
tho Germans out Of Cateaux Wood
All along the front Of approximately
eghty-fve miles, from the Lys Valleyin
the north to the Disc. there were arttl-
!ery duels during tbs day and night. In
Flanders there were raids. the result OF
which was to bring back prisoners. In
this enterprise both sides were success
full
With the advance of the French and
their seizure of the heights along the
Disc the Germans have retired 70 PIE.
mont, mile southeast of Lassigny,
where the Germans have occupied pos
tons already prepared and are Offering
strong resistance to a further French
gain in this section, Close to Plemont
the French have taken possession OF "A
part "t the Thiescourt plateau and now
hold the southern part
Enemy Fights StubbornIy.
German resistance has greatly in
creased in the neighborhood Of Noyon
due to the German determination to hold
that base as long as possible. The Ger
man defenders have a tremendous ad-
vantage here due to the nature OF the
ground and to the innuy' erable wooded
ravnes, which offer eI, lent ma shine
gun centres of resistance" The French
troops are compelled to worm in and out
among the hills and gullics, reducing
one machine gun group at a time.
The Germans anticipated the present
situation long ago and are strongly pre-
pared to resist attack Some of the
machine guns are in all but impregnable
positions, 80 placed that the gunners
can continue the fghting until the at
taCkers are sufficiently close to bayonet
them, The Germans have orders to re-
sist until killed and these orders are
being carried out with "A fanaticlSm that
borders on insanity The French are
compelled to fight not only with great
bravery, but with Consummate skin A.
well
Notwithstanding all these difficulties
the French forged steadily ahead. their
line now being 500 yards northeast Of
Curry, and to the edge of Loges Wood
According TO the German official r,
port all French attacks in the Lasslsny
section broke down" as usual
Artillery More Active.
The Associated Press CORRESPONDENT
with the British Army in France N
describing conditions on the Somme bat
tie front says;
Various small artillery concentra-
tons have sprung up during the last few
hours and are now active in firing on
some points within the British lines
such as Nauvillers. Frameryille. Proyart.