Driving on northward from the Beauvais area, Allied forces yesterday reached Amiens and established a firm bridgehead over the Somme River. Corbie, Villers-Bretonneux and Moreuil were among the towns taken by this advance. Further to the west our troops reached Formerie, Buchy and Forges-les-Eaux. North of Rouen we have captured Totes, half-way to Dieppe, while other forces which crossed the Seine River near Caudebec have passed through Lillebonne and reached the area of St-Romain-de-Colbosc.
The commander of the German Seventh Army was among the prisoners taken yesterday. Gains of about 10 miles have been made by Allied troops moving north and east of Reims. Other troops have entered Laon where a stiff fight occurred when our forces accounted for three train loads of German troops who were attempting to withdraw from the town.
Other troops moving east and southeast of Troyes have made gains to points over 20 miles from the town reaching the area just east of Bar-sur-Seine. In Brittany, Allied troops closing in on Brest have advanced almost to the coast west of the port in the area south of St-Renan. The enemy has been cleared from the Daoulas Peninsula south of Brest. Clouds over France hindered Allied air activity early yesterday, but operating under improved conditions later in the day, fighters and fighter bombers attacked enemy road and rail movements in northern France and Belgium.
Motor transport numbering in hundreds was destroyed and locomotives and trucks were hit. During the night of August, enemy shipping in channel waters stretching from Dieppe to Dunkirk was attacked by coastal aircraft. One large merchant vessel and a small ship were hit. Dieppe, Arras and Verdun were liberated yesterday by Allied forces. Further west, our troops have taken Bolbec, Fauville-en-Caux and have entered Yvetot.
Armored thrusts northward from Amiens passed through Arras soon after midday, and by evening were established in strength north of the town. Another thrust captured the town of Doullens, and further west our leading elements have reached the Somme River southeast of Abbeville. Light enemy resistance was met by Allied troops advancing northeast of Beauvais and we have taken Coullemelle and Villers-Tournelle, six miles west of Montdidier.
