The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-10-26
BATTLE IN SECOND PHASE.
ELIMINATION OF LILLE SALIENT
COMPLETED FIRST PHASE.
New Movement Begins to Clear
Northern Belgium and Threaten
Enemy on Extreme Right.

With the Allied Armies in France
and Belgium, Oct. 21.-Q p. M, by
the Associated Press).-The great
battle in Flanders and Northern
France passed into it's second phase
today. The first phase was complet-
ed when the Lille salient was eliml-
mated and the Germans were driven
out Of Western Belgium, so that the
line all the way from the frontier OF
Holland tot he Oise canal is virtually
straight one.
This having been accomplished, the
Belgians, British anu French in the
north started a sweeping movement
today pivoting on point ABOUT east
of Courtrai. The object Of this ap-
pears to be the clearing of the enemy
from his front in Northern Belgium
and at the same time to threaten
his extreme right flank.
The position at the south is IN the
region below Valenciennes. AT ootn
places the exhausted German divls-
ions. whose ranks have had great
holes chopped into them by terrlhc
blows, are fighting with the greatest
desperation. The German command
ers are sacrificing many men IN tnel.
endeavors to hold their ground, but IN
both sections the allied troops nave
smashed into the enemy and maze
appreciable gains. Scores OF addltlon-
al villages have leen reclaimed and
numerous prison.rs and large quantl-
ties of supplies have been captured.
In the center of the battle area the
British kept thrusting out everywhere
and gradually during the day moved
forward toward the west bank OF the
scheldt with increasing celerity. Inc
Germans have taken advantage OF the
natural protection offered by the
width of this stream and its canal ano
marshy borders They are hiding be-
hind it in shallow trenches and are
showing nervousness as the allies ap-
nroach. Back of them their artillery,
the strength of which has been great
ly depleted, is giving some support.
The Germans have their cannon
close TO the roads and on them, sc
that when it becomes necessary to
withdraw the guns they can get them
a.way in hurry. In their retreat the
Germans have resorted to every
known means to delay the bringing UP
of the artillery, but without effect
Al the present time however. the al
lies are not hampered in the least, for
the German. were put to such hur-
ried fight that they had little time
TO take their artillery and vast stores
of ammunition with them. These feL
into the hands of the allied troops
and the guns were promptly turned
around, and shells made in German!
were sent eastward as fast as they
could be fred.
In the northern part of the battle
area allied cavalry is moving aheao
of the infantry, clearing out the Ger
mans. And all the while, the allies
are getting nearer and norer tc
Client.
Belgian srtillery has been moved
up rapidly behind the infantry and Is
pounding the enemy constantly
Shrapnel is. ,reaking continuously on
the German rear, and high explosives
are reaching out for transports and
men on the roads.
The fighting is going on in rain and
mud. To some extent the allied troops
have left behind the ground which
turns into marsh, and have not been