The sun., 1918-08-14
RETREAT NOT ENDED
Strong German Positions
Being Made Untenable
, by Artillery Fire.
CHECK SOUTH OF SOMME
Berlin Reports British Col
umns Trapped and Moved
Down by Machine Guns.

LONDON. Aug. 13.-French troops
on the southern end OF the Somme-
Disc battle from continued their adj
vance to-day. nnd while the terri
torlal gnins were comparatively
small the new positions captured from
the enemy nre Of great strategical
Importance. The French are driving
in on both sides of Noyon, which is
their present objective
In their drive for Noyon the
French for the present have aimed
for the heights. which will give them
artillery positions to sweep the town
with shells. To-day the French cap
tured Lnssigny MaSsif and fierce
fighting Immediately developed. the
Germans attempting to retnke the
height, but in this they we're not
successful. Just TO the south of
Lassigny the French also occupied
Plessis lie Roye and also L'EcOuville.
This latter town is three and one
hnlf miles south of Lasslgny.
The French by these moves have
gained possession of the forests and
hills between the Disc and the Mats
and are throwing shells into Las
signy Itself aud later will turn their
guns on NOyon.
The capture Of Noyon, which would
make the German hold on the Noyon.
Roye- -Chaulnes line precarious in the
extreme, would also have an effect on
the battle line running to Scissors and
from there to the Nesle River.
Probably the most important victory
OF the French during the day was the
capture OF Lassigny massif. the chain
OF nils overlooking the town from tho
south The French now have entire
command OF this important position,
which enables them to dominate the
town, the Valley OF the Divette and this
who.e Of the district to the north.
Mnssif Key to German Position.
The taking of this position Is sure 10
have a disastrous effect on the Ger
mans over wide stretch OF territory.
ard this effect should begin TO be evi-
cent in the next day or two Ths
massf is the key to the old German
position from which they commanded
the whole Noyon district. Il will have
n similar value to the French as soon
as they choose to make use OF il
With the French in this strong posi-
tion and also in strong positions to tho
south OF Roye, from which they arc
sheUlng the latter town, the Germans
Will either have to yield or else main
tain their positions at tremendous loss
OF life. Already, due to the French
capture OF the Lassigny massif. the
enemy has started retirement from
many positions in the Disc Valley and
further retirements will almost surel"
follow as soon as the French artillery
can be brought up, These guns will
command the whole network OF roads
around Noyon. Roye and Nesle, making
them hard problem for the Germans
In the advance along the Oise Vallov
the French made a gain OF one and a
half miles to the north OF Cambronne
The French are moving also upon
Noyon from the south through the Disc
Valley and are exertng such strong
pressure against the Germans there that
a withdrawal movement has been
started The Germans have been hold
ing Bailly. on the east bank OF the Oiss
and about two miles east OF Ribecourt
To-day they were reported retreating to
the west from the town, which Is near
the southern end OF OuraCamp forest a
wooded section which is OF great strate-
gle value In that part OF the battlefield.
Germans Begin withdrawal.
In the northern section Of the Picardy
lie the British encountered a greatly
stlffened resistance, as result OF which
they were unable to do more than hold
the ground already won, All the British
positions we're strengthened. however,
and additional prisoners were taken
During the dav the British improved
their positions north Of the Roye road
and. rspuAssd.. ar. enemy .attack .gser
The Germans CONTINUED
to hiring up reenforcemen nys' and gnhs
apparently with the determination 10
hold the line and prevent the formation
OF a pocket between the Somme and the
OIse. German big guns bomba rded the
allied rear areas during the day.
The British artillery now has the
range OF Chaulnes, and that city is being
pounded by the British shells day and
night. Further south the Allies are in
positions which enable them to attack
Roye with a never ending cross f,re, and
in III allied capitals IL 10 not Aelieyed