The Topeka state journal., 1918-08-30
FRONT TO WHICH
HUN is RETIRING
IN CRAVE DANCER
Process Rolling Up Famous
Defenses Begins.
BulIecOurt, HendecOurt and
RiencOurt Fall.
MAY FORCE FURTHER RETREAT
Line May Be Untenable Before
Huns Get There.
CombIes Falls Before Attack
of Haig's Men.
CROSS The RIVER SOMME
British Hold All of West Bank
and Part of East.
Fires Indicate Retirement in
Flanders Salient.
CROSS The RIVER SOMME
British Hold All of West Bank
and Part of East.
Fires Indicate Retirement in
Flanders Salient.
(Bx the Associated Press-)


Moving forward with sustained
power. British armies east and south
east of Arras appear to have crashed
clear thru the Hindenburg line. Dis
patches received today seem to indi-
cate that now they have begun to roll
up" the German forces on the front to
which the enemy is retreating along
the whole Picardy front. Bullecourt,
which was on the Hindenburg line,
was taken this morning. Hendecourt-
-Cagnicourt, to the northeast or
Bullecourt, has also fallen before Field
Marshal Haig's men. South of Hende--
court and slightly to the east Rien-
court has been captured by the ad-
vancing British. East of Arras astride
the Scarpe further gains are reported
The Drocourt-Queant switch line
now is within striking distance
Further south the British have
taken the village of Combles. where
there was terrific fighting during the
German retirement a year ago last
March.
Cross Sommc South of Peronne.
West of Peronne the British have
captured the town of Clery and they
also have crossed the Somme south of
Peronne.
Along the line further south, which
is held by the British. the night
passed without change. There were
counter attacks by the Germans
against General Mangin's army be-
tween the Ailette and the Aisne. but
these were repulsed by the French,
who hold positions east of Pasly
which is less than two miles north
west of scissors.
Hold French South of Somme.
Along the front from the Somme
south to the Noyon region and thence
east to the Ailette, a sector which is
vitality important a present, the enemy
appears to have checked the French
until he can extricate his forces from
the perilous position in the salient be-
tween the Somme and the Disc.
Progress southeast of Arras would
seem to be the most important fea-
ture of the news from the great bat
tie. Canadians. it appears, are slowly
advancing along the Arras-Cambrai
road and are widening the gap in the
famous line to which the Germans re-
tired eighteen months ago.
1t seems that any great additional
British success in this region may
shatter Germany's hopes of conduct
ing a defensive campaign along this
front, to which it is probable the Ger
mans now are hastily withdrawing
Advance North of Lens.
(By rne Associated Press)
With the British Armies in France,
Aug. 30-(noon) .-Biaches on the
south and about a mile from Peronne
has been captured by Field Marshal
Haigs forces. British troops have en-
tered Lesboeufs and patrols have
passed thru Morval to the southeast.
British troops this morning pushed
forward in an easterly direction from
Bapaume. The British have made
further advances to the north of Lens
At one place they pushed forward for
- distance of a thousand yards
lie Transloy, on the Bapaume-Pe-
rome high road, was reported to have
been captured this morning.
Fires in the Lys Salient.
Fires indicating the withdrawal OF
the Germans on the northern end OF
the British front and especially in the
Lys salient are burning. Many explo-
sions have been observed behind the
enemy lines.
Push on Past Noyon.
General Humbert's troops which
yesterday took Noyon and advanced
TO Mount Simeon to the northeast re.
sumed their attack this morning an6
are advancing up the difficult height:
north of the Disc.
The Germans have been driven be-
hind the River Somme everywhere
along the British front. The whole
western bank now is in the possession
of Field Marshal Haig's troops and a
one place Just south of La Chapellettt
a British force has crossed to the cas-
bank.
In the operations concluded thi
morning 500 prisoners fell into th'
hands of the British on this side o
the river. being unable to get ava!
quickly enough.
The Germans have destroyed all tn
bridges across the Sonme, including
the railroad bridge and the regula
bridge at Peronne. Northwest of Pc
rome, however. after the river change
its course from the moth to the west
the British swept in - quickly tina
the causeway over the Somme a