Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-08-21
a strong attempt to force the Germans
to retire all along the line.
ATTACK ON TEN MILE FRONT.
Indications Point to Success Of New
British Thrust.
TRv fhe Associated Press

With the British Army in France
Aug. 21--1n the first hour of the of
| fensive begun this morning by Field
| Marshal Haig the British captured the
| towns of Ablainzverville' Beaucourt
and Moyenville.
The British attacked on front OF
ten miles between Arras and Albert
The attacks extended from the Ancre
river at Beaucourt to just north of
Moyenville. Some German field guns
and 200 prisoners had been taken in
| the British drive at an early hour
All the German outposts and posi-
tions along the important Drahoutre
ridge between Koudekot and the Lorce
Hospice have been attacked by the
British. The result so far is not known.
This front is in the Lys salient
Courcelles and Achiet-le-Petit also
were captured in the British drive.
The high contour between Adinfer
and Moyenville was the northern zone
of today's attack and Puiseux -au-
Mont the southern land mark Of the
front.
The enemy here lately has been
withdrawing in order to increase the
depth of his defenses
Altho prisoners said the Germans
had been expecting the attack for {.
week. 1t was tactical surprise. Tanks
and infantry advanced thru the heav-
lest fire in the gray morning light.
After brief crash Commandment
British troops were upon the enemy
almost before he knew it.
Order Forbids tWhinina.
Every day now some new document
or incident comes to light showing
either weakening of the morale in
the German army or the anxiety of its
leaders.
The latest is a step to make the SOL
diers cease whining when writing let
ters to friends and relatives at home.
as 1t Is considered bad by the German
commanders to be for home morale.
It is a secret captured order issued
by the commander,of the Second Ger
man army. He states that a special
examination of homegoing mails dis
closes disregard for the army postal
regulations. Aside from disclosing the
exact location of units m0ny of the
soldiers have told OF successes OF the
enemy"
Channel Menace Gone.
By withdrawing their forces in the
I1ys salient the Germans deAnitely have
given up one uf the points from which
= drive. for Calais logically would be
launched. This - taken to indicate
that the German high command has.
at lea4t Tor fh9 tinis B1fhg. abandoned
hop0S OF reaching 4he coast and now.
fperhaps. is chiefly concerned with get.
ting the German lines back to d place
Of greater security.
The Withdrawal here has been ex-
pected for some time. The retirement
marks the conclusion and failure of the
effort which Germany launched early
in the spring to finish Off, the Brit
ish army by driving thru to the sea.
Seeks to Break Contact.
1t Is possible the enemy may think
that If he could arrange to leave "a
broad space, say offtwo or three miles.
between the British lines and his own.
holding the latter with fairly strong
forces, but keeping the greater part of
his armies well to- the rear, he would
taave better chance to defend him
self against the combined operations
OF the infantry and tanks. the effec-
tiyeness Of which he apparently has
learned to respect.
II this Is part Of his plan he seems
not to have reckoned that the British
would follow on his heels SO closely.
The Merville withdrawal, however. is
the most significant development in
long time, for the enemy has
been holding on to this salient as
sort OF jumping of place for the con-
tinuation of his Flanders operations
and In holding 1t has suffered greatly.
especially from the allied artillery.
The initiative having passed from
the Germans. the position ceased to be
Of value to them. Meryille,7 Of course,
has. been entered and the allied patrols
by this time have operated some dis
tance beyond it.
Kaiser to Form Instruction Battalion.
Amsterdam. Aug. 21.-1n an address
to the Brandenburg battalion Emperor
William. according to dispatch to the
Lokal Anzeiger from Karl Rosner, said
! that the battalion would be employed
in working out every new phase of
modern fighting for the purpose of in
structing all the German infantry.
PRAYER OF PATRIOTISM.
, House Chaplain Asks Deliverance From
EnAe,iaa ~ Lonaa