This position--defended by four German divisions--was carried with magnificent dash on the 3rd, from near Combles to the Somme. On the 5th, the French progressed beyond the position and reached the following line: Anderlu Wood, north-east of Le Forest, Marrières Wood, and the crest north-east of Cléry; 2,500 prisoners were taken. [Illustration] [Illustration] The French Attack of the 12th Attacking again, the French were now confronted by two parallel lines of defences. The first position (known as the Berlingots' trenches) ran through Frégicourt, Le Priez Farm and Marrières Woods. The second position, along the National road, 2 km. behind the first, rested on Rancourt, Feuillancourt and the Canal du Nord, taking in Bouchavesnes. Following close behind the creeping barrage, the attacking troops carried the Berlingots' trenches in half an hour. From there, the left wing attacked and captured Hill 145, and advanced as far as the National road, between Rancourt and Bouchavesnes. The right wing reached the Valley of the Tortille, opposite Feuillancourt. Bouchavesnes, although not included in the objectives assigned to the storming troops, was next attacked, and at 8 p.m. Bengal lights, announcing its capture, were burning in the ruins of the village. On the 13th, the French crossed the National road. The enemy showed great nervousness, and brought up three new divisions. [Illustration: THE CANAL DU NORD.] The British Attack of September 15 [Illustration] The German positions of Foureaux Wood, Hill 154 and Morval were the objectives of the attack. For the first time tanks accompanied the storming waves, giving the enemy an unpleasant surprise, which contributed largely to the victory. In the centre, the tanks entered Flers before noon; the troops advanced beyond the village and established themselves. On the left, Foureaux Wood, bristling with strong-points and redoubts, and on the right, Hill 154 were carried, and the Morval--Lesbœufs--Gueudecourt line reached. In consequence of this brilliant success of the British right, the attack was extended on the left; the tanks entered Martinpuich and Courcelette. In a single day the British advanced 2 km. along a 10 km. front, and captured 4,000 prisoners. The enemy threw two more divisions into the battle, and fiercely counter-attacked the salient formed by the French lines at the Bapaume-Péronne road. After getting a footing in Bouchavesnes on September 20, they were driven out at the point of the bayonet. The General Attack of September 25, and Capture of Combles The Allied front line moved forward again, to complete the investment of Combles. Rancourt and Frégicourt fell on the 25th, in the French attack; Morval was captured by the British. The encirclement of Combles was complete, and the enemy had already partially evacuated the place. On the 26th, the British entered the fortress from the north, the French from the south, and captured a company of laggards. [Illustration]