The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1917-04-18
french MAKE TREMENDOUS DRIVE
AGAINST GERMAN LINES MONDAY

Paris, April 17-Continuing their
terrific attack against the German po-
sitions between Scissors and Rheims
and east of the latter place, today
the French carried German first-line
positions over many miles of front,
captured powerfully organized
heights, occupied the important vii
lage of Aubevie, and on this part of
the front, about two miles in extent,
took more than $500 prisoners.
According to the official statement
from the war office, strong German
counter-attacks were repulsed The
number of German prisoners taken
by the French Monday is now placed |
at 900. The text of the statement
reads:
1--WE enlarged our action today east
of Rheims and attacked the German
lines between Prunay and the road
between st. Hilairc and St. Souplet. |
notwithstanding violent gusts of
rain and snow, our troops proved
themselves irresistible. They carried
on a front of fifteen kilometers (ninc
and third miles,, despite the re-
sistance of the enemy, all the first
German position south of Moronvil-
lcrs.
Brilliant Work
"Pushing beyond this position, our
troops brilliantly carried on a front
OF eleven kilomcters a line of heights
solidly organized from Mont Carnil-
let as far east as Vaudesincourl.
"Further to the east spirited ac-
ton enabled US to capture the viii
lage of Auberivc and powerfully
fortified salient formed by the Ger
man line around that village on a
front of three kilometcrs.
"Counter-attacks by the enemy in
the direction of Mont Carmillet were
broken down by our fire. The number
of prisoners taken by us on this part
of the front exceeded $500
Between scissors and Rheims,
during the course of the day, we re-
sumcd our destructive fires against
the German organizations and re-
duced isolated sections where enemy
groups still persisted.
Counter Attacks Rcpulsed.
about $3.50 o'clock this afternoon a
strong enemy counter attack in the
region of Hurtebeise farm (west of
Craonne) was rcpulsed. Another vio-
lent attempt in the sector of Courcy
occupied by the Russian troops like
wise failed.
"Accordng to latest reports, our
troops in the battle Of April 16 be-
tween Soissons and Rheims overthrew
very important German forces. In cx-
pcctation Of our attack the enemy
had brought in nineteen divisions.
According to the declaration of pris-
oners, they had received the formal
order to hold, cost what it might, the
first position, which had been rein
forced as to depth.
German Losses Heavy.
"The losses suffered by the Ger
mans were considerable, not only in
the course of the battle, but on the
preceding days. On the eve of the
attack an enemy division, while en-
gagged in going to the relief of the
sector of ncighboring division, lost
under the violence Of our artillery
| fire the greater part Of its effective-
ness. The number of unwounded
prisoners taken by us Yesterday be-
tween scissors and Rheims has reach
| pI q tot nj of 0OO
Belgian communications: There
were reciprocal bombardments during
the day
eastern thcater, April 1G.--Violent
cannonading occurred along the front,
especially in the direction of Maya
dag, in the valley of the Vardar, hin
1348, north of Monastir and Tore
vena Stena."
Heavy German Losses.
Germany suffered another crushing
blow upon the western front today,
when forty miles of the strongest
part of her line was wrcsted from her
with an estimated loss of nearly
| 100000 killed. wounder and prisoners.
All France halls the victory as bril-
liant demonstration of the skill of
her generals and the courage of her
troops.
| Measured by the amount of terri
tory freed the victory does not COM