The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1917-04-18

pare with the Somme offensive, which
opened month ago, but viewed rom
the amount Of destruction done to the
enemy's armed forces and the damage
to his military prestige, it is far
greater success. Here there can be no
question either of a previous planned
retreat or surprise. The enemy en-
pected an attack and made every
preparation to defeat it.
Strong Positions Carried.
From Soissons to Craonnc the Ger
man line runs along a series of hills
of average height of 500 feet, with
deep valleys between. The attackers
advanced up the valleys under cross
fire from each flank, but the artillery
curtain, on a new plan, invented by a
British general, was so effective that
the operation was carried out ut less
cost than might be expected.
The weak point of the German line
is from Craonne to Rheims, where
the ground is more level Here the
attack made more progress and the
danger of rupture Of the line be-
came so imminent thar the Germans
brought in all availabi. reserves. The
reserves were smashed by the French
field artillery which kept clos, on the
heels of the waves Of infantry The
result of today's operations is that
the great western battle now has
joined along front Of close to $50
miles, more than one third of the
mighty line from Switzerland to the
sea.
Likely TO Extend Further.
The great offensive opened By the
French along a twenty five mile front.
from scissors to Rheims. is likely to
extend still farther tomorrow or the
day after The tremendous assault on
the German lines had long been care
fully planned and for month past
French artillery had been pounding
the cnemy's position.
The Germans were we'll aware of
what was coming, as they showed by
number of furious attacks made, no.
tably at Sapigneul and Godat farm,
with the object of finding out some
thing definite in regard to the French
preparation.
The invaders had manned naturally
formidablcs poitions, with electives
amounting to at least twenty divisions
| and an enormous number of guns we'll
equipped with munitions.
How Battle Began.
The battle opened on the left of the
line, where, shortly after 8 o'clock in
the morning, the French infantry
swept forward in an irresistible wave.
In spite of Il stiff resistance the Ger
mans were driven back, and inside of
half an hour prisoners began stream
ing toward the French rear by hun
drcds. The struggle was hottest east
of l.oivre, as we'll as in the whole sec
tor Of Berry-Au- Bas and to the east
of Craonncllc, but the French heavy
shells were too much for the Ger
mans, and before neon the whole first
line was won. On the right the ac-
ton began a little later in the morn
ing. The French met with a very
determined resistance and the fight
ing was terrific. After several hours
of homeric struggle the infantry,
thanks to the support of several hun
dred heavy quick firing guns, forced
their way into the cncmy's first line
1t was a fine success, as the tcrrian
was most difficult and the posi.;2Hs
formidable
Violent Counter attacks.
In the afternoon the Germans coun-
ter attacked with extreme violence al
most everywhere along the front. The
majority of their reserves were en-
gagged south and east of the Brmont
ridge 1t is from the Brimont fort,
built on q crest which dominates all
the plain around, that the Germans
have bombardcd the city of Rheims
The French troops are very close to
this ridge, which is likely to play a
prominent part in the coming fighting.
In capturing Loivrc they have drawn
nearer to Bermericolut, and have gone
far beyond the famous position which
they lost in the first weeks Of the war
and failed to win back at the battle
| of tho Marnn