The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-05-02
GRAPHIC. STORY Of THE VICTORY !.
WON IN LATEST FRENCH ATTACK

|. HEADQUARTERS OF FRENCH
ARMY ON THE FRENCH FRONT,
April 20.-(EveningD-The Germans
were forced 10 engage In battle again
to-day along front extending between
six and seven miles to- the eastward
of Rheims. The French attack was
delivered from a short distance south
ward of Beine to Moronyilliers. Not
withstanding the difficulties OF the
task confronting them, the French nc
! the end Of the day had won tactical
victory and captured considerable Ter
rtory, although most obstinate fight
ing continued on ground strongly to:-
titled and offering every advantage TO
the defenders.
! So serious was the French advance
at one period Of the day the Germans
were compelled to throw into the line
another of the few remaining divisions
of their strategic reserves, but Still
could not stay the French progress.
Before the Battle.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press passed Sunday night on the bat
tlefield observing the artillery prepa-
ration for the attack, which presented
one Of the wierdest Of sights. Even
the brightly starlit sky did not permit
one 10 observe the outlines Of the OBJ
jects aimed at, but throughout the
night dozens Of French batteries, ciev-
elry concealed, poured out an inces-
SAINT stream Of shells against the Ger
man positions and gun stations. The
flashes of fire when the left the muz-
Zles looked like sparks caused by
flint striking on steel. while the air
Iribrated with terrific cracks and
calbre, as they passed overhead.
Meanwhile thu location IF tho Gov.
man and French front lines could be
defined in consequence of the constant
succession Of flares on each side.
, which were lighted for the purpose Of
! observing any possible movement OF
the enemy infantry.
Airmen Scouting.
Overhead could be heard at low
altitude the whirring motors OF Ger
man airplanes trying vainly TO locate
| The French batteries.
Numbers Of tracing bullets bearing
long tails Of light were sent up in or
der TO outline the niers, but the artil-
lery did not fire at them and the Ger
man airmen. evidently dlsappoint ed
teries, went off to lombard the open
towns Of Chalons and Epernay.
Desperate Resistance.
When the French infantry attack be-
gan at 1910 o'clock to-day the French
line passed from just north Of the Ro-
man road. near Prunay. through the
Bots lie La Grille and along the crests
OF Carnillet and Mont Haul to Moron
viliers. In the west and the center
the French advanced rapidly, but on
The wooded mountain slopes the fight
ing was harder and the Germans coun-
attacked frequently with fresh
Iops. at one point regaining sec
on they had lost, only 10 be driven
out Of it again later on
Big Gain Recorded
The French stag at the close OF the
lay recorded general gain amount.
ing TO something more than Ave hun
Ared 10 a thousand yards. and this in
ground interlaced with powerfully or
@anized trenches bristling with ma.
chine guns and. strengthened here and
there with .block.houses and redoubts.
Possession Of this range Of crests
by the French menaces the German
positions at Nogent L'Abbesse and
Rerru, from which the ombardment
of the Rheims cathedral has been car.
red out. The Germans guns to-day
relaxed in the punishment Of Rheims
II order TO help defend the German
positions where the French attacked.
Strength Disclosed.
a secret order found on the field OF
Nattle. addressed TO the commander OF
he Thirty-third German Reserve brig.
de. warns German officers that the
7rst line mist be defended at all
ostS, and. If lost the fighting must.
'nntinue until It is .re-won.
Our principal line of combat" says