Williston graphic., 1918-08-29
War Review
Friday. August %

rrlQSy, august ID
British and German armies are
locked in a mighty battle today over
a 25-mile front from Lihons, six miles
south of the Somme river, to the
Cojeul river, southwest of Arras.
This combat which began with the
British attack against the enemy po-
sition east of Ancre river on Wedncs-
day, now has spread into one of the
greatest battles of the Allied ofen-
sive in Picardy. 1t is officially re-
ported from London that the British
are making progress at some points
and that German attacks east of
Beaucourt, at about the middle of the
battle front were repulsed. The Brit
ish apparently still are on the ag-
gressive along the whole line.
French troops have occupied the
southern banks of the Disc and the
Ailette between Sempigny, south of
Noyon, to the railroad bridge west
of Coucy-le- Chateau.
South of Coucy-le-Chateau they
have reached the outskirts of Guny
and Pont St. Mard. This progress
brings them still further toward the
rear of the German forces holding
the hills north of scissors and with
in three miles of the German posi-
tions north of Chemin des Danes, as
they stood before the offensive of
May q.
Most Vital Sectors
Probably the most vital sectors to
the Germans, at present are those
from Roye to Noyon and that north
west of scissors. If the German po-
sition north of the Somme would
have to be readjusted. The salient
northwest of Scissors possibly is the
most important because if it should
fall the French would have the
heights of Chemin des Danes out
fanked and be in position to men,
| ace Laon. Continued French pres
! sure on this salient would appear to
have the effect of forcing the Ger
mans to retreat from the Vesle with
in few days at most.
American troops north of the Vesle
have increased the security of their
position by cleaning out an import
ant point north of Fismes. The Ger
mans attempted a counter attack, but
| were thrown back with loss. Along
the remainder of the Vesle the AL
lied pressure is being maintained.
Saturday, August "a
| British troops along the extreme
northern sectors of the battle line
in Picardy and Artois are advancing
at a comparatively rapid rate. Their
attack in the Albert region was con-
tinued early this morning.
According to unofficial reports from
the field the British have reached
the village of Henin, on the Cojeul
river five miles southeast of Arras.
They also have advanced further
to the south and are in the outskirts
of the town of St. Leger.
Advancing Britons appear to be
closing in on Bapaume, the reputed
keystone of the German positions
between Arras and the Somme. The
Germans have been forced to give
up towns just to the north of Bap-
aume while the British are reported
to be operating to the west of the
town.
It is officially reported that in the
fighting since Wednesday morning,
when the offensive began in this Sec
tor, the British have taken more than
$4,000 prisoners. 1t is stated in un-
official advices that whole batteries
of heavy guns have been taken from
the enemy.
On the north, having hurled the
Germans from more or less import
ant positions on a 30-mile front, the
British are nearing Bapaume and
threatening the outlying defences of
Peronne. The fall of Bapaume, it is
said, would be a disaster, to the en-
emy. Field Marshal Haig's men now
are but little more than two miles
away on the northwest, having taken
Achiet le Grand and Bihucourt in de-
termined lighting.
! On Old Battlefield
The British third and fourth ar
mics are fighting over the old battle
field of the Somme and are making
marked progress in fighting which re-
sembles in intensity the first days Of
the drive of July, 1916. They have
crossed the Albert-Arras road over
most of it's length. They have seiz-
| Continued on page 81