Whereas, in 1917, the British captured Bapaume by a frontal attack,
they retook the town in August, 1918, by a wide turning movement.
As early as August 24, the New Zealanders of General Byng's Army, after
carrying Louppart Wood, reached Avesnes-les-Bapaume, one of the suburbs
of the town. The next day they advanced beyond the Bapaume-Arras road,
and on the 27th conquered Beugnâtre (5 km. north-east of Bapaume).
The town was furthermore surrounded on the south by the capture of
Warlencourt Ridge. Unable to hold out any longer, the Germans evacuated
or set fire to the immense stores in the town.
[Illustration: THE HÔTEL-DE-VILLE, BEFORE THE WAR.]
On the 29th, the Welsh and New Zealand troops fought their way across
the suburbs before nightfall, and hoisted the British and French flags
on the ruins of the Town Hall.