[Illustration: (1) _Australian Sergeant examining a German Machine-gun captured by the 15th Brigade._] [Illustration: (2) _Near Warfusée-Abancourt, August 8. Infantry of the Australian 1st Division advancing on Harbonnières, after a tank had cleaned up a line of German Machine-guns which was holding them._] [Illustration: (3) _The Shelters of the above line of machine-guns--light constructions compared with the powerful trench organisations, yet strong enough to require tank treatment._] PHOTOS ABOVE: [Illustration: (1) _Australians in German trench, with field-guns just captured (August 1918)._] [Illustration: (2) _British lorries in Villers-Bretonneux (August 17, 1918)._] II.--THE BRITISH OFFENSIVE NORTH OF THE SOMME AND THE FRENCH OFFENSIVE BETWEEN THE OISE AND AISNE. August 18-29. The first phase of the Battle of Picardy was ended, but a great new effort, between the Somme and the Scarpe, was being prepared. Between the Aisne and the Oise, Mangin's Army attacked the plateaux on August 18th, advancing to the Ailette on the 23rd. (_Sketch above_). [Illustration: _The Attack between the Oise and Aisne by the Armies of Generals Mangin and Humbert, August 18-23._] Following up this advance, Humbert's Army continued its offensive vigorously on the 21st, conquered the northern slopes of Le Plémont, crossed the Divette, and occupied Lassigny. (_Sketch above_). By their advance, these two armies threatened the right of the German XVIIIth Army, established on the Chaulnes-Roye line. At the same time, Byng's Army attacked between the Ancre and Croisilles, whilst Rawlinson's left attacked north of the Somme. (_Sketch above_). At dawn, on =August 21=, the 4th and 6th Corps of Byng's Army attacked between Miraumont and Moyenneville. Supported by tanks, they captured the advance defences in brilliant style. The fighting was particularly severe around Achiet-le-Grand and Logeast Wood, where, however, the advance continued steadily. The Arras-Albert railway which was the enemy's principal line of defence, was reached, 2,000 prisoners being taken. After this preparatory attack, the offensive was launched on =August 22=, along a thirty-two mile front, between Lihons and Mercatel. South of the Somme, the Australians captured Herleville and Chuignes, with 2,000 prisoners. Rawlinson's left crossed the Ancre, took Albert, and advanced its front to the hills east of the Albert-Braye road, capturing 2,400 prisoners. [Illustration: _The Attack between the Somme and Scarpe by Byng and Rawlinson, August 21-29._]