Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-09
GERMANS FIGHT
HARD TO CHECK
ALLIED ADVANCE
Deliver Countcrattacks on
British in Sector South
of Yprcs.
HAVE LOST 10000 PRISONERS
IN FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER
Secretary Baker Arrives Abroad
to Attend Conference
of War Council.
ALLIES APPROACH ST. QUENTIN
Armies Still Pressing Forward, After
II, Whole Month of Great
Offensive.
ALLIES APPROACH ST. QUENTIN
It, Whole Month OF Great
Offensive.
LRy Associated prcss1

The British and French armies con-
tinuc to cut their way into the Cor
man lines on various sectors of the
lower part OF the battle line in France.
Notwithstanding the weather. which
has caused somewhat Of A slackcninc
in the violence of the opera tions. Field
Marshal HaE's forces have materially
encroachcd upon Cambrai and ST.
quentin. while farther south tho
french armies arc pressing eastward
on the old Noyon sector toward lie
fere and Laon and northward from
Soissons in an auxiliary mancuvcr with
the same objectivcs in view.
! Between the Nesle and Aisne Rivers
where the American troops arc hshtins
with the French, additional ground has
been gained by the allied forces.
The British now are standing at
Nillcrcque. six miles from ST. Quentin,
having carried out an advance over
ten-mile front on tho general line
of Epety. Hesbccourt and vcrmand.
To the north the greater part of the
navincourt wood, one OF the Gernian
strong points barring the way TO
Cambrui, also has been captured. So
rapid has been the British advance
aions sh.s this portion Of the front that
heid before the big German drive OF
last March.
progress by the British. Gradunliy the
French are working their way around
the 81. Gobain forest north Of Soissons
in the movement that aims at tho
outiiankinS OF La Ferc and Laon and
an the German positions, cas-, OF this
skirts of the village OF Scvais, on the
northern edge OF tho forest; and two
short distance to the north they
have taken the village of MennessiS.
on ,,his Inc -; s.; Quentin 9, Canal canal
within little more than eight miles
from st, Quentin.
FRENCH MAINTAIN POSITIONS
AGAINST CI<S.
North OF tho -lisne, near Scissors
the Germans are lighting hard to Keep
The gain by them OF much more ter
with the mnncuver that is in progress
around the 81 Robain forest. VIII
PLACE the entire German defense line
cal position Near LatfauX and north
OF Cclies- -sur-Aisnc the Germans have
delivered strong counterattacks. but
tanned their sround.
The Germans also arc reactine
the region OF Ploesstcert, where the
British are threatening the recapture
OF .Armcntieres. Counteroncnsivc man
ehem were broken up BY the British.
During the first week OF Septcmber.
Field Marshal llaiG's forces have taken
more than 10000 prisoners and large
number OF machine guns and quanli-
ties OF stores. ,r
That further big events arc on the
program OF the entente allies in the
prosecution or the war is indicated by
the fact that Newton -. Baker, the
American Secretary OF War. again is
in France for war conferences.
FRENCH OCCUPY VAUN
AND HAPPENCOuRT
PARIS. September S.-The French
have occupied NauN, Fluquicres and
ilappencourt. north OF the Somme. as
we'll as Hamel, according TO the Mar
Office announcement tonight. They
have also made advances on both sides
of the Oisc. The statement reads:
North Of the SoInme we carried
NauX, Fluquiercs aud Happcncourt;
east of here we captured Hamel.
south of the Somme the enemy Of
fcrcd bitter resistance. .>vcsncs was
retaken by the Germans, but was again
recapturcd by us. We gained ground
on both sides OF the Disc, cast OF Fars-
niers and west of Scrvais.'' s.
Further south tnorth OF the Aisne)
the French and Americans held tlfcir
positions around LaffauX and Cellcs
against German counterattacks.
Two successful raids were executed
in tho Champagne, where prisoners
were taken.