Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-08-21

was crossed over nearly the whole
front before 8 o'clock, though the
resistance was most vigorous at many
places.
Prisoners were continuing to arrive
at the rear to add to the several
thousand captured before noon, and
the gain in territory at 1 o'clock was
from one to two and a half miles.
The enemy was resisting with the
greatest vigor at vital points. Where
the fighting is thickest the ground Is
covered with German dead.
Germans Expected the Attack.
The artillery preparation, which
was most violent, began yesterday
morning and the enemy anticipating
an attack, fastened to reinforce his
lines, sending up two Of his best di
visions which were held In reserve.
These divisions arrived during the
night in motor lorries.
An hour and half after the order
was given to attack, infantrymen
were passing Audingnicourt and
Vassens and were followed immedi-
ately by batteries OF 3-inch guns. The
first line of defense was then break
ing.
The Germans on retiring filed the
ravine with mustard gas. This, how
ever, proved only temporary trou-
BILE, the entire ravine being turned
in a short time and the French troops
progressing toward Blerancourtelle,
eight miles southeast Of Noyon.
Farther to the right Tartiers, two
and a half miles southeast Of Nor
sain, was entered at 8 o'clock, and
columns of prisoners began to appear
upon 1he plateau to the rear.
French Airmen Flew Low.
The artillery reaction was very
weak over this part of the front.
French aviators, flying way down
under the l0w-lying clouds, kept the
staff regularly informed as to the
progress of the attack and harassed
the enemy with machine gun fire. No
German fliers tried to interfere with
their work. Few we're seen in the
air during the morning.
The Germans made desperate de-
Tense in the hilly and wooded region
south Of the Oise around Carlepont
Caisne and Lombray, where they
held strong positions which were
prOfusely dotted with quick filters.
The Four-a- Verre and Croisette farms
were taken by the French after a viO-
lent struggle, which proved very
costly to the enemy.
Report 5000 Prisoners.
Paris, Aug. 2O.--The French forces
fighting east Of the Disc on a front of
about 5 miles, have advanced to an
average depth of ut two and
half miles, and ured numerous
villages, accordi % the French
official communication issued this
evening. More than 5000 prisoners
have been taken.
South Of Roye the town Of Beuv-
raignes has been occupied by the
French after bitter fighting. The text
OF the communication follows:
South OF the Avre we have cap
tured Beauvraignes after bitter
struggle. In the course Of our ad- |
vance yesterday between the Matz
and the Disc, we took 500 prisoners.
East of the Disc our troops this |
morning attacked the German lines |
on front Of about 25 kilometres |
from the region OF Bailly as far as
the Aise.
"On our left we have reached the |
southern outskirts OF the Ourscamp
forest. and also the outskirts OF
Carlepot and Caisene.
In the center we captured Lom-
bray and Blerancourtelle and gained
q footing on the plateau north of
Vassens.
"On our right the village OF Veza-
poin, Tartires, Cuisy-enyAlmont. Osly
and Courtil have fallen into our
hands.
"On oil the fronts Of attack we
have advanced on an average to a
depth Of four kilometres. We have
taken more than 5000 prisoners.
"The number OF prisoners taken
since August 18 between the Oise and
the Aisne Is more than 10000.