The sun., 1918-08-19
Haig Strikes at Merville
Also, and on Arras-
BucquOy Line.
GAIN OF 1000 YARDS
Advance on Chaulnes Road
Threatens Capture of
Boche Base.
GERMAN MORALE WEAKER
Opinion Persists That FOch Is
Preparing for Another
Great Offensive.

LONDON. Aug. 1S-British forces
under Field Marshal Haig plnched OF
mile wide strip of territory on a
four mile front in the Lys salient to-
day, capturing village and 400 prit;-
oners in the process. Cuttersteen was
the village taken in this region. 4
little to the south, near Merville, the
British made further advance. and
still further south. between Arrsls and
Bucquoy, an additional movement for
ward was successfully executed
Between >Chllly and Franeart on
the Chaunes-Royc road, the British
moved forward slightly, placing Roye
further within the jaws of pincers
which the British on the north aud
the French on the south gradually
are putting around that town.
The main British gain of the day,
the one In the Lys sector. was over a
front of approximately four miles Le-
tween VieuX-Berquin and Bailleul. and
wes, of Armentieres. The advance
there was from 1000 to 1000 yards.
and was preceded by an artillery
pounding, which the British COM
manders estimate must have reduced
the German positions to a state OF
complete pulverization.
French Attack Persistcnt.
While the British were busy in the
north the French did not let up for
an instant In their artillery activity
| south OF Roye. Between Canny sur
Matz and Beuvrainges the French
kept up persistent attack, taking an
additional 400 prisoners
The German official statement, is
sued tonight says that enemy
armored cars, supported by artillery, =
pressed forward on the roads leading
to Roye, but his armored cars were
shot to pieces or compelled to return,
While the infantry following them was
driven back by our counter attacks"
The fact that fighting on the front be-
tween the Lys and the Disc does not
cease as allied military observers be-
ieved II would after Marshal Foch had
pushed his success 10 what appeared TO
be the limit Of reasona BILE expectations,
leads to the belief that his purpose for
the present is to keep the Germans Oh
this front constantly busy. so they will
not have an opportunity to rest Their
men, who must be wearied by the long
struggle. or to make concentrations Al
other points where they might have rea-
son to expect continuation of the
allied leaders offensive
Foch Has Larger Plan.
II Ia
Foch looks upon the territorial gains he
Is making on this front as being of any
consequence; hence the belief that these
big scale raids and intense artillery nc.
tons are part of larger plan which ia
soon 10 be put into effect by the allied
chieftain.
There has been no counter attack
against the British for three DAYS. says
the Associated Press correspondent
telegraphing from the front. and the
British in addition TO continued lnten-
sive bombing and shelling of vital points
within the enemy lines have now begun
throwing gas projectiles In various
places. considerable number were
thrown into Bray this morning in the
hope OF getting at Germans hiding in
cellars and dugouts from the avalanche
OF shells which now and then fall there.
This harassing apparently is serving to
reduce further the already low German
morale.
The Associated Fress correspondent
with the French army In describing the
recent fighting says
THE victories OF the French armies
on the Avre and at Thiescourt were
won by some Of the less renowned
divisions, which generally are known
as sector divisions meaning divisions
charged with holding parts Of the line,
while the duty Of attacking the enemy
was assigned to units that had earned
the title shock troops
These divisions, without glorious
past to inspire them and without re-
endorsements to strengthen them. at,
tackled the Germans with an ardor that
showed the fine spirit displayed by tho
shock troops pervades the entire army,
and that while some divisions are moro
renowned than others all are worthy
Of the great task before them. These
so-called sector divisions have Obliged
the Germans to bring up reinforce
ments and to resort to all expedisnts
TO stiffen the resisting powers of their
troops.
Descrtions Guarded Against.
Several fresh divisions participated
In the enemy's counter attacks on the
positions recently captured by the
French around Ribeoourt and Canny-sur.
Matz In the Thiescourt region Ba-
Narians have been brought up to lend
aid To the Prussians. In the confused
mixture OF units. some OF these rein.
forcements have been brought up es.
corted BY cavalrymen. according 20 pr:s.
oners This precauton. they say. lathe
y