The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-09-06
Large Part of Famous Position
Won by the British.
SIX-MILE GAP TORN IN LINE
Terrific Attack Made by Canadians
and English Troops With Tanks
Caused Heavy Casualties for
Huns-EngIish Capture
City of Lens.

London, Sept 1.-The sagging Ger
man line from the vicinity of PerOnne
nOrthward to Lens, distance Of near
ly thirty miles, has been crushed back
from one to four miles by the British
advance in the last "A hours.
This is indicated by Field Marshal
Haig's report, which names string Oh
new villages much to the east OF the
fighting Monday. The report says the
British are at Baraile, only six miles
west of Cambria and within easy artil-
lery range.
Where British Front Stands.
Field Marshal HaiGs communities
ton gives the general line of the Brit
iSh as YpreS, south Of Bertinc0urt,
Beaumetzlez-Cambra Barelle, Romau-
court and LecIuse.
In describing the advance Field
Marshal Haig says:
"HOstile rear guards. which resisted
the advance of our infantry, have been
captured or driven back with loss, and
heavy casualties were inflicted on the
retreating columns by our artillery.
Large numbers of the enemy retiring
in close formation were successfully
engaged by our batteries over the open
heights.
SIN his hurried retreat quantities or
stores and materials of all kinds were
abandoned by the enemy"
British Capture lie Mesnil.
Hhe British have captured LIE Mes
nil which lies to the southeast OF lie
TranslOy, a further twO-mile advance
on a SiX-mile front, battle front dlS-
patches say.
South of the Sensee river the enemy
is evacuating the ground west OF the
Canal du NOrd The British are east
of Ytres and hold EtricOurt and Man
aucOurt. There also has been slight
advance in the direction of BuiSsy. MI
merOus fires have been observed ut Bus
and BertincOurt, southeast OF Ba-
paume, and there are other indications
that the enemy's retirement still con-
tinueS.
British at Neuve ChapelIe.
In the Lye salient. where the Ger
mans are retreating, the British adj
vanced and now hold the western out
skirts of Neuve Chapelle. The Brit
ish have captured RichebOurg st.
WAIST.
Lens was powerfully defended, the
lines in front of it resting on Il LADY,
rinth of coal pits and heaps Of mining
debris. They were an integral part OF
front, being aligned to the northWard
with the La Bassee position and the
Messines ridge, and to the southwark
with the Hindenburg defenses and La
Fere.
Throw in Last Reserves.
Southeast of LagincOurt, the south
ernmOst point at which the British
have a hold on the Hindenburg line,
the Germans fruitlessiy threw in what
is believed to be every reserve avail
able. Most of the reserve troops, how
ever. have been worn out in the recent
fighting and put up Il weak resistance
The Second Prussian division. con-
sidered one of the enemy's best, was
rushed UP from Cambria, but the men
were SO worn that they were easily
Dushed back. Hundreds of prisoners
were taken.
Carrying their attack TO the north
east of ArraS, the British captured the
village of HamblainLes-Pres just to
the south of the Scarpe in the direc-
ton of DOuai.
The British have captured the city
of Lens. The town of Queant also has
been taken. Lens was evacuated by
the Germans, the British moving in.
More than 10000 prisoners were
taken by the British Monday. Addi-
tiOnal prisoners were taken Tuesday.
Six-MiIe Gap Torn in Line
London, Sept. 3.-The northern
part of the famed Hindenburg system
of defense fell before a furious on
slaught by Canadian and English
troops, Field Marshal Haig announces.
The report says the position ''was car
ried on wide 'front.'
According to battle line dispatch,
the gap torn at one point in this line,
known as the Drocourt-Queant switch
line. is over six miles long. From the
map the British blow seems to have
overrun the position perhaps to the
extent of ten-mile front. Beyond,
to the east, lies fresh, open country.
The attack, delivered with tank sup
port, caused terrific casualties for the
enemy. 1t is reported the roads are
damned with German prisoners.
Over a front of nearly thirty miles,
from the Scarpe river to Peronne, the
allies are pressing eastward.
Thousands of Prisoners Taken.
Thousands of prisoners have been
captured the roads to the British rear
are literally damned with them.
There has been fierce fighting in
Dury, which was taken by the British
and Mount Dury, which the Germans
held in great strength, was stormed