Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-04-30
GERMANS RENEW Big Drive IN FLANDERS
AMERICANS BLOCK
UNSFROM AMIENS,
WASHINGTON SAYS
"U. S. Troops Are in Action
East of An;ienS," Says WaI
Departments Weekly Re-
vieW-More Men Needed

WASHINGTON, April 2s.-Formal
announcement that American troops,
have taken part in the fighting is made
today by the war department in its
weekly review of the situation.
Our forces have taken part in the
battle" says the statement briefly,
american units are in action east of
Amiens. During the engagements which
have ragged in this area they have &C
quilted themselves we'll"
The review in emphasizing the imme-
date need of fresh men to withstand
the German onslaught adds that Ameri-
cas- imperative duty is to provide re-
placement units for the French front.
I'm addition 10 those already called
10 the colors." says the statement land
already selected for service, very large
quotas will be required in the immediate
future TO iii the gaps"
In this connection, the review points
out that the enemy is seeking a de-
cision that will end the war and the
outcome of the present operations de-
pend upon manpower.
The statement mentions the attack on
the American positions at Seicheprey,
northwest of TouI. Here on April 90, the
review says, the Germans swept over
American lines on a front of three kilo-
meters. but subsequently gave up the
ground occupied.
The departments statement is as fol-
lows:
The outcome of the present occu-
pations in the west depends on man.
power.
The Germans are relying principally
on rifles, machine guns, manpower and
carefully thought-out methods of
transporting and supplying munitions
to the front of attack under all condi-
tions, which means that they have de-
veloped mobility of offensive action
that can only be met by counter meas
ures OF equal potency and flexibility.
a battle OF such magnitude, as the
one being fought in the west cannot be
decided by any single engagement. yet
there arise series OF crises on which
the ultimate outcome depends. These
crises have up to the present in a large
measure resulted favorably to the en-
envy.
THE vigorous attacks driven against
the British lines were intended to para
lyze the independent will power of the
British command. In this the enemy
has failed. Unity of command of the
allies has extended operations to the
broader field Of general engagements in
which all the allied forces will hence
forth be used interchangea bly,.
This change in the combat situation
has materially altered the moment OF
decision of the offensive. Instead of the
enemy being able to defeat the British
army and then turn its full energy
against the French, the allies are now
able to oppose their full united strength
TO the hostile attack.
ct must constantly be borne in mind
that the enemy is seeking a decision
that will end the war. This decision
can only be arrived at by the destruction
of the allied forces in the field before
fresh units contributed from additional
levies in France and Great Britain as
we'll as by our own troops can take up
their position in sufficient numbers to
turn the German successes to defeat.
ours is the imperative duty OF pro-
viding replacement UNITS for the armies
in France. We must be able to put
fresh men in the field thoroughly and
methodically trained.
Large Quotas Required
In addition 20 those already called TO
the colors and now training at our can
tonments or already selected for serv.
ice, very large quotas will be required
Operations of the week reveal that
the enemy, taking advantage of the re-
entering angles stretching from the
Arve northvard and from Wytsclaete to
Dranoutre, has resumed operations after
a period of relative calm.
I'm the south the thrust towards
Amiens has been we'll contained. The
British are holding firmly in the face
Of furious assaults.
Our own forces have taken part in
the battle. American units are in action
in the area east OF Amiens. During the
various engagements which have ragged
in this area they have acquitted them
selves well.
I'm Flanders-the situation is less sat.
isfactory. Last week the Germans drove
a strong thrust against the segment of
the line held by the Belgians. This
was well met and the enemy was un-
able 10 make any Roadway.
Another principal assault was lanuch-
ed with Mount KENNEL as its objective
In the region from the Yprcs-Comines
canal TO Dranoutre violent fighting has
again developed as a result of which
the enemy was able TO capture Dranou-
ire. gain the summit of KENNEL and
reach Locre. Fighting continues in this
area with unprecedented stubboTnness
ana the advance of the enemy has no;
been definitely checked. The loss OF
Mount KENNEL is a serious menace 10
the British positions in Flanders.
Northwest of Toul enemy pressure
in increasing At dawn on the 2lst
after powerful preliminary barFagc
the Germans launched a heavy raid
against tire sector held by our men.
'On q frontage OF approximately three
kiIometers. in the vicinity of Seicheprey
the enemy swept over our front lines
our men were driven out of the village
which the enemy was able to hold tenn
porarily. During the night the Ger
mans evacuated the positions captured
and we were able to reoccupy our origi-
nal front lines Along the Mouse our
troops beat of another raid.
Allied aircraft was particularly &C,
tive and executed a large number OF
raids on depots and other points of i'm
portance in the Picardy and Flanders
salients.
british and French troops have
llcoz+4znsA- en- RAes =, cotzmn a.