The Elbert County tribune., 1918-09-06
MAcHINE-LIkE STROKES KEEP
GERMANS ON RUN FROM
soMME TO scARPE.
BRITISH TAKE COMPLIES
HAiG smAsHEs HIS WAY TO QUE
ANT SWITCH LINE, 5ocHEs'
CHIEF DEFENSE.


Aug. 31.-The fighting British armies
again smashed their way forward FRI
day all along the line. There has been
heavy fighting almost everywhere be-
tween the Somme and Scarpe rivers,
and under the force of repeated blows,
delivered with machine-like precision,
the foe has been forced to abandon
many more town positions and large
strips of ground. 1t is reported that
Bailleul, southwest of Ypres, on the
northern side of the Lys salient, has
been captured.
There has been no abatement in the
strength of the offensive the British,
French and American troops are
throwing against the German armies
from Arras to the region of Scissors
And as yet there is no indication that
it is the purpose of the seemingly de-
moralized enemy to turn about and
face their aggressors or to offer more
resistance for the present than
guards.
Not only havs the, allied troops all
over the battle front from Arras to
Scissors gained further important ter
rain, but to the north the British have
advanced their line in the Lys sector.
apparently without much effort
OF greater significance than any Of
the other victories achieved in Fri
days fighting is the gain of the
French, with whom Americans are
brigaded In this general sector north
of scissors. The latest French Off
cial communication records the cap
ture of Chavigny. three miles north
west, and Cuffies, mile and half
north of scissors, and the entry into
the outskirts of Crouy. to the north.
east.
These victories, gained only after
the hardest kind of fighting, make
more secure the allied line running
northward and outflanling the Aisne
and Chemin des Danes positions.
Also lettering this general situa-
ton has been the crossing by the
French OF the Ailette river at Champs.
In the region north of Noyon the
French have madee further progress.
crossing the Canal du Nord at sew
eral places and advancing materially
| in the direction of the Noyon-Ham
railroad line. All around -Noyon the
French have strengthened their posi-
lions.
| All the territory on the north and
west banks of the Somme where the
British have been operating against
the Germans now has been cleared of
the enemy, and south of Peronne, on
the east bank, of the stream, notwith-
standing the destruction of the
bridges by the Germans.
| To the. north the British almost
everywhere are pressing eastward
along the highways. carrying the Ger
mans before them, Notwithstanding
the desperate resistance that is ev-
erywhere being offered by machine
gunners innumerable and infantry
units. Combles is now in British
hands. East of Bapaume .the British
are working along the Bapaume- Cam
brai road toward Lebucquiere.
To. the north of this region Bulle-
court and, .Hendecourt, on the old
Hindenburg line, both were captured.
but the Germans in a violent counter
attack forced back the British to their
western outskirts, where at last ac-
counts, occupying an old German
trench system. the Germans were be-
ing held. Northeast of Arras the Brit
ish now are only step away from
the famous Drocourt- Queant switch
line. the strongest OF the eneiHy's for
tilted positions, which is said to be
filled with forces who intend to dis
pute tenaciously its capture.
Southwest of Ypres, in the Lys
salient, the Germans again have be-
gun withdrawing and are being clsse-
ly followed by the British. The Brit
ish again hold Bailleul. The with
drawal OF the Germans seemingly in
dicates it Is their purpose to blot out
this salient and stralghten their line
southwark from Ypres.
Official reports assert that the Brit
ish have captured the important town
Of Bapaume, where for days there has
been bitter fighting. the Germans ex-
erting their utmost strength to keep
Haig's men from gaining control of
the railways and the high road lead
| ing to Cambria
London, Aug. 30.-It is estimated
by experts here that the German
losses in killed alone now reach a
total of more than 100000 and prob
ably approach 100000.
The total entente allied captures ON
the western front since July 10 now
approach 10000 prisoners and 1000
guns. The British captured m6fe
than $1,000 prisoners between Aug. 81
and Aug. 26.. while the British total
losses in the same period. including