The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-08
BRITISH SMASH
teontinued DUN Page One,

tGOntinueu GUM rage OHps
by the French and British was begun
at dawn today along the front between
Albert and Montdidier- Satisfactory
progress was made despite strong
enemy resistance.
The assault began exactly at dawn
along a front of between 40 and so
kilometers and a success was scored
Immediately. The British advanced
toward CerisyGailly. on the south
side of the Somme' east Of Sally
Laurette. and Marcelcave. The French
advanced at the same time in the idi-
rection of Demuin and Aubercourt.
Germans Fight Hard.
Around Morisel and Moreuil the
German resistance is terrific.
Along the French front the artil-
1ery preparation lasted for forty
minutes. after which the troops left
their trenches with wonderful dash.
Before 8 o'clock considerable progress
had been recorded and ALI the first
detectives had been attained.
(By the Associated Pressb
Attacked on % Mile Front,
British and French troops attacked
this morning from Albert, northeast
of Amiens, to Montdidier. southeast
of AmienS, the front of attack being
approximately twenty-eight miles. 1t
is reported from Washington that 1t
is not believed American forces are
engaged in the present fight. Ameri-
cans holding the line at Cantigny some
time ago were withdrawn and sent %
the Aisne-M Marine salient This new at
tack has been expected since the Ger
mans were driven back to the Aisne
and the Vesle. Foch is known to be
an offensive fighter. and it has been
predicted that a new blow would fan
on the Germa- lines before they had
time to reorganize their shattered d.
visions During the last ten days the
Germans have carried out three 1oca
retirements in the nothern sectors OF
their line-two in the Picardy salient,
one each side of Albert. along the
Ancre river, and the other along the
Ayre river, north of Montdidier. In
both cases the enemy retired to posi-
lions before which rivers offer partial
protection.
Recalls 1915 Offensive.
The fighting in Picardy recalls the
great offensive carried out there by
the British and French in 1915. and
the German strategic retreat IN
February and March, 1917, to the
Cambrai-Lafere line, which they oc-
cupied until March 81. 1918. and from
which they launched their first Of
fensive of the present summer. The
field over which the British are fight
ing today is familiar ground TO them'
but to the south the French must force
| the enemy back from territory newly
occupied during the March offensive.
When the Germans withdrew in
February and March, 1917. they de-
stroyed every house and building in
the evacuated area. cut down every
tree and in the words of a German
| military critic. Prepared the ground
| for future operations" It is over this
battlefield that the Germans must
again retreat If the allies are success
| full in their present attack. Viewed
| on the map the front over which the
| new attack is being made was chosen
| because of it's strategic relations to
the German positions to the north and
south. If the assault is successful. the
Germans to the north must drop back
Lover the ground they won at an i'm
mense cost in lives in March. To the
! south their position southeast of
/, Montdidier. taken by them in the ter
rible battles early in June when they
| were foiled in their effort to reach
| Compiesne will be in Jeopardy.
Indirectly. an allied victory from
| Montdidier northward would weaken
the line along the Aisne to which the
Germans seem about to retire after
their defeat north of the Marne-