Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-07-23
AMERICANS CROSSING
MARINE WITH FRENCH
IN GREAT NUMBERS
Crown Princes Army Group in
Retreat Everywhere North
of Marine River, Ferguson
Declares
BY PRED s. FERsUSoN

FRANCE, July 22.-(1 a. m.)-The
Franco-American advance continues ev-
erywhere from Scissors to east of
Chateau Thierry.
Oulchy lie Chateau has been pene-
trated, placing the railway and main
highway from Chateau Thierry to
Flames under allied control and thus
adding to the difficulties of the German
retirement from the Marine.
American and French infantry have
recrossed the Marine in great numbers
and are heavily reinforced by allied ar
| tillery, which effected the passage with
out opposition. French cavalry is operat-
ing northeast of Chateau Thierry far
| in advance of infantry.
American field guns are firing on
| scissors, while the Franco-American
line has been Strengthened south of that
city until practically all the main high
way from scissors to Chateau Thierry
! is in our possession
German prisoners say their orders are
to retire northward from the Marine to
/ Fere-en-Tardenois, twelve miles north
east of Chateau Thicrry and fifteen
miles southeast of Scissors.
The crown princes army group Is
now on the retreat everywhere north
|
north of Chateau Thierry and contact
has been established with our lines
northwest of that place. In addition to
| crossing the SoisSons-Chateau Thierry
road on a wide front south of the former
city, the Americans and French are
marching on the road northwest of the
| latter. French cavalry is scouting ahead
of the infantry, seeking to keep in con-
slant touch with the retreating Germans.
| F'ranco-American troops crossed the
Marine without opposition early Sunday.
using to a large extent the boats and
foot bridges, which the Germans were
forced to abandon in their haste. Long
/ lines of infantry and artillery poured
across the river all day and into the
night. The guns were set up quickly
| and shelled the enemy's rear guards
| South of scissors, the boches are put
! ting up a desperate resistance. Amert-
! cans and French are advancing there
! across alternating plateaus and wood
| ravines. The latter are filled with ma
chine guns nests. about which German
resistance centers.
American troops, fighting tirelessly,
are cleaning up these nests. The small
| streams running through some of the
ravines are no barrier to the doughboys.
! Some are so narrow the men leap
across, while others are forced to wade,
with guns and packs held high above
| their heads.
Every sort of unit is begging to get
! into the fight. Several hundred military
policemen, a supply company and sever
! al other units normally rated as nom
| combatants, as a result of their con-
slant pleading were put into the line.
Scissors and all the Aisne bridges
| are under fire of the allied artillery.
! mi
| toward the rear, back of the German
! lines indicating possible withdrawal
! from the Scissors region similar to that
| of Chateau Thierry.
The allied advance is continuing on
! the whole SoisSons-Rhelms salient va
| rying in speed with the degree of Ger
| man resistance.
The Germans apparently are concen-
| trating their defense south of Scissors
and north Of Chateau Thierry, to protect
| the west and center Of their retirement
Elsewhere the enemy is depending most
| ly upon It's artillery to stem the allied
| attacks-probably employing the guns
IN covering further Withdrawals Of men
| and supplies.
Admission by enemy prisoners that
| the retirement will continue to Fere-
en-Tardenois means the Germans will
! attempt to make a stand along the
| Ourcq, twelve miles north of Chateau
| Thierry.
Dramatic Scenes
! Some of the most dramatic scenes are
/ enacted in this war of movement. Every
| unit is working tirelessly. Trucks have
been running day and night for four
days, the drivers alternating in sleeping
on the seat. while the others drive. Ar
| tillerymen lie down beside their guns
! snatching winks of sleep while the
pieces roar away almost on top Of them.
! 1t is a common sight to see REIN
| forCements along the roads in the rear,
the men asleep on the ground, using
their gas masks as pillows Further for
ward, the units engaged in battle are
denied even this slight rest.
| One machine gun unit got so far
| ahead that it received no food for TWEEN
! ty-four hours. 1t sent word back and
| two motorcycles with side cars were
| loaded up with rationS. The drivers
were told to reach the machine gunners
at any cost. They rode over hills pitted
with she'll holes, across fields and
lodged among the Boche load. but they
reached the machine gunners.
| Cigarettes are now an important part
| (Conttuued ON Page q, Column a