The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-08-09
FRENCH and BRITISH HAVE
taken $4,000 PRISONERS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUMMARY OF THE WAR
(By Associated Press }


gained in Picardy the British and
French troops in smashing attacks
are forcing the Germans back To-
ward the important Peronne- Roye
road. The advance Thursday was
probably the greatest in territorial
1916.
Amiens, as a result Of the fighting
up to the present, has been almost
entirely relieved of the German
menace and even the German artil-
lery will have difficulty in reaching
it. The important railway running
north from Paris through Amiens
and paralleIine the allied battle
front can now be used again after
being under the fire of German guns
for'four months.
Ten thousand prisoners have been
taken, according to unofficial reports
reaching Paris. The allied losses
thus far have been slight and the
Germans have been slow and weak
in counter attacking. The greatest
enemy defensive asset-maehins gun
nests-aSpears to have been very
we'll squeIehed by the British tanks
which swarmed through the German
lines.
In smashing through the German
fret lines on the 20.mile front from
MorIancourt TO Hargicourt, or
roughly, from Albert to Montdidier,
the allies advanced as far as seven
and one-haIf miles in the center. The
average advance probably was more
than four miles. Most determined op-
position has been encountered on the
extremities of the fighting front.
MorIaneourt is still in German hands
although a desperate conflict was
staged there Thursday.
TANKS PLAY BIG PART.
Artillery played little part in the
surprise given the Germans by
Marshal Foch. Tanks were used in
large numbers and, according 60 re-
ports, most effeetivelys Cavalry was
brought in late Thursday and sue
oseded in capturing several villages
and in rounding UP scores of prison.
ers. Field Marshal Haig has not
reported on the capture of guns and
prisoners but announcement has
been made official in London that
early Thursday 1900 Germans and
100 guns had been taken by the Brit
ish and French. Later unofficial re-
ports bring the total Of prisoners TO
more than 10000, the French alone
taking 5000.
Penetration of the enemy posi-
tions has been greatest south of the
Somme to PIessisrs.
This is directly east Of Amiens and
FramerviIIe, the farthest east
reached by the British up to late
Thursday, is seven miles from the
Peronne- -Roye road. North of the
Sonme the British have had to fight
hard for their gains and the same
has been true Of the French advance
across the Avre. Once across that
river, however, the French moved
forward rapidly. The Perenne. Roye
road with it's parallel line of railroad
runs north and south, east of the
advancing allied line, which is
biseeted by the Amiens Laon rail.
road. IL is the main enemy com
munioation line. With this in al
lied hands, or even under short
artillery range, the German positions
north TO Arras and south and -east
almost TO Rheims would be in. great
danger. Montdidier, the pillar Of the
German positions, where the battle
front swings towards the east, ia
surrounded on three sides.
MoNTDlDIER IMPORTANT.
Should MontdIdior fall or the
Perrone- Roye road be cut the Ger
man situation between Arrae and
Rheims would be most difficult,
result probably would be a with.
drawaI from Montdidier TO Rheims
to the line Of the Disc and the Aisne
or perhaps to part of the old Hinden-
burg line. The terrain before the
allies is rolling and rather difficult
Of defense, except north of the
ISomnie.
Important results already have
been achieved should the Peronne-
Roye road not be reached at once.
Marshal Foch has shown he retains
the initiative and the forces TO take
the offensive. Also Amiens and the
northern railroad are no longer un..
der easy artillery range. The pres
ent allied line tends 60 form two
poekets-ons 60 the north and one to
the south-both of which become
more insecure as the advance COM
tinues.
Berlin says the British have forced
their way into the German positions
between the Aners and the Avre but
gives no details. German counter
attacks probably will be stronger
now that the enemy knows where he
is being nenaeed.
Along the VesIe there has been
little change in the situation. The
Franco American pressure continues
aand substantial forces are reported
to be across the Vesle river ready 60
continue the advance nortaward.
The German position here depends
somewhat, though NOT entirely, on
the situation in picardy. IL ie not
yet in danger OF being outflanEted,
but unless the allies are checked
promptly in the north, q retirement
to north Of the Aisne would appear
60 be inevitable.
In northern Russia The allied
troops landed at ArchangeI are NOV.
ing southward along The Vologda
railroad. The BoIs1eviki, aided by
some German units have retired TO