Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-08-26
PROGRESS OF THE OFFENSIVE

.OuTlnS me past lew days the Allied strength has
been exerted chiefly on the British front north Of the
somme. and such progress has been made that the town
of Bapaume is subjected to attack from three sides,
north. south and west, with the approaches to the city
from the east well within the range of the British ar
tllery. Under these conditions the capture Of the place
is inevitable unless the Germans are able to create a d.
version which will lessen the pressure within a very
short time. and Of this there is no prospect.
Bapaume was one Of the important detectives of the
British in the first battle of the somme nearly two years
ago, as it is an important railway center, and several
main wagon roads radiate from it to various other parts
of the district. The battle which was fought over that
ground late in 1916 thrilled the world, for it exceeded in
magnitude and intensity anything which had been seen
up to that time. Today it stands as the forerunner of a
group Of engagements which have equalled or exceeded
1t both in scope and in Intensity. 81 I.
The town. was not captured in the nrst battle Of the
somme. The Germans. vigorous though their defense
was. were outfousht, and were compelled continually to
give ground. But the resistance before Bapaume.
Peronne and other critical points was strong enough to
retard the British advance, until tho sudden ana unsea-,
.sonable setting In Of winter brought the offensive to an
end for that time. During the winter both British ana
French made preparation for resumption Of the Often
sive on a large scale IN. tho sprint. but the Germans had
in the meantime prepsred elaborate defenses farther,
back. and in March. 1917. they retired to what became
known az tho Hindenbure line. There they remained
until the' offensive Of .tAe present year. Bapaume and all
the adjacent towns passed into the possession of the
Allies with the German %retirement, to be re-occupied by
them in the late advance This time they are being re-
taken, not as tho result Of a strategic retirement, but by
hard lighting and consummate strategy on the part Of
the Allies. and in the face Of the best defense that the
Germans can make. The occupation Of this territory
now is no part OF the German plan,
Farther south the Allied attack has partially sub.
sided for the time beins. It has been highly successful,
not only because Of territory occupied and prisoners
taken, but because 1t has resulted in the driving Of an
Allied wedge between the armies Of the German crown
prince on the Vesls and the, Aisns and those under the
general command OF Prince rupert on the north. There
has, Of course, bssn no breaking through. but there has
boon peasttatiea 70 q sufficient degree to place serious
obstacles 81 the way Of the transfer OF troops from one
OF these sectors 10 the othsr, md. within the limited
tsrritsry a1setsd. ths relative pestttens Of the contsnding
fsrcss Aavs bssn reversed, ana the Allies are not oper-
atins aisas insids Iinss. svhiIs, the Gsrmans are forced to
NJ the longer Haas around the arc OF the circle.
~ - g INT o1ths crewvn Prince. He retreats In
1alEsy aaed ordiE