The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-08-30
FRENCH TAKE NOY0N
{conetnusd from Page ona.)

wood. just to the west or the canal Ou
Nord. The wood was 4 strongly fortified
position and from 1t tho Germans en-
deayored to check the French pursuit
The rapidly succeeding military events
not only confirm that the Germans have
lost all control of their operations in
the regions Of the Somme, Avre and
Disc rivers. but they indicate that the
enemy's own retreat is getting out OF
hand.
The effort to stem the French pursuit
by fighting rear guard actions with ma
chine gun. SECTIONS. leaving section at
intervals. Of about 400 yards was only
locally successful On ground especially
favorable for. that sort Of resistance
such as the terrain around Roye. IT
gained some time for the enemy. enab-
ling him to move q great many guns ana
a considerable part of his material BE-
hind the canal Du Nord and north OF
E6yon But once this system OF fighting
was mastered. the strength OF the Ger
man rear guard dwindled to almost
nothing. The Germans. hustled violent
" by the French and British vanguard.
were obliged to risk a violent engage
rnent with important forces or to quicken
their retreat.
The Germans adopted tha latter plan
and since yesterday morning they have
been making all possible 21asN on tho
road leading to Saint Quentin LIE Fere
and the Hindenburg line.
The strong position Of Quesnoy wood
Just west Of the canal DY Nord. from
which the Germans tried. by means OF
the heavy fire Of all caliores OF artillery.
to check the French troops advancing
on both sides Of the Roye-Noyon road.
was captured this morning.
Pressure from General Hunbcrt's
third army. from the west. and from
General Mangin's men, who crossed tho
river Disc from the south and took Nor
lancourt this morning. while other
French troops were entering Noyon, adds
greatly to the difficulties Of the enemy
The Increased danger from those dlrec-
lions will oblige the Germans to make
further sacrifices in order to save Cen
eral Won ITutieTs army from disaster.
The Soume line having been made
difficult for the Germans by the rapid
ity Of the allied pursuit, there Is now
question with the French troops ready
to cross the Somme"at the cnernys heels
az to where he Will be able to make
further stand.
At Gates Of HAM
PARIS. Aug. zs.T-5:5D p. M
French troops ar, at the gates OF Ham.
according TO dispatches from the front.
The Germans lost three complete NUM-
ton trains at Breuil. five miles west OF
Ham. in theiJ prccipitare retreat
Actual possession Of the village OF
Ham probably will be delayed. az the re-
treating Germans leave all ruins satu-
rated with poisonous gas.
The town OF BEeuil. where the Ger
man munition trains were captured Il
on the Canal du Nord.
At Champion wood. Ercheu and other
points on the line south OF Neale. where
the enemy sought to bar the French ah-
ranoc cast ward. says I.fberts. the Ger
man rear guards fought 10 the last man
and refused to DC captured.
Early French Report.
PARIS. Aug. 29.-Eiolent artillery CIR
eagements along the Somme front are
reported in tho official statement issued
at tho war office today.
FRENCH. II f. 4 D Q u ARTERS IN
FRANCE; Aug. 39.-ticncral Hnrnbart' 3
army has crossed the R"ye-Soyon road
near Sermaize, two miles north OF
Nnron. but the Germans are cncrEct-
ically defending the hills to the cast.
PARIS, Aug. 29.-1'hn number Of Ger
man prisoners captured by th. French
: in their advance west of tho ChaulneS-
Novon line has been comparatively
small. rs tho French have bru obliged Ia
move cautiously. The Germans l.rt
mines at various places and had scat