Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-02-21
U. S. ARMY IS NOW
READY FOR STRUGGLE
Gigantic Test of Skill and Strength
Now Due i'm Franco. s.
soldiers to Take Part

Now Due in France-U. S.
soldiers to Take Part
After extensive preparations sill
emily and systematically carried on.
it is apparent that both tha Germans
and the allies are ready for the long
expected offensive in the west. Sec
rotary Baker said Wednesday in his
review yOf military operations for
the week ending February 16
while there have been outwardly
no new developments in the military
situation in the west during the per-
iod under review" says the COM
munication, yet it is apparent that
both the enemy and the allies after
extensive preparations which have
been silently and Systematically car
ried on, are ready for battle. The
Germans have recently withdrawn a
number of their veteran west front
units from the first line trenches
and are busily training them in mo-
bile warfare.
Picked Shock Batailions
According to advices received the
German general staff hopes that by
massing large number of those
picked shock batallions which have
been intensively trained, they may.
deliver a crushing blow.
1.-THE bulk of the German forces
are now assembled in the west. But
large number of those units are
wholly unframed in the method of
western front warfare which differs
radically from that conducted along
other fronts Furthermore, the Ger
man higher command realizes fully
that their forces will meet with far
more difficult tactical obstacles than
any hitherto encountered by an at
lacking army. A break through was
possible only in Russia after the
morale of the Russians had been I'M
dermined; the same was true in Italy
and we witnessed how speedily the
Italian line was mended.
During the week there has been
much activity of minor character
along the entire western front.
"As has already been announced.
in Lorraine segment of the line is
entirely under the control of our
forces. Along our front patrol en-
counters were numerous. The Ger
mans undertook a raid against our
positions. An improv e m n in
a few casualties. A small American
patrol while scouting in No Mans
Land, was ambushed by the enemy.
THE weather was very rainy dur
ing the first part Of the week and
our troops were busy manning the
pumps in an effort to keep their
trenches dry. Later clear weather
prevailed and hostile aircrafts made
frequent flights, to reconnoiter our
our positions. An improvement in
our anti-air craft barrage Is report
ed. The Germans showered our
trenches with gas shells, tut caused
no casualties on account Of gas po-
sitiOn.
Late War Bulletins
London, Feb. 20-Naval afrmen
and their targets in Belgium and
have accounted for four German air
planes. the admiralty announced in
a statement issued last midnight.
The statement reads:
Naval aircraft dropped many tons
of explosives Monday night on St.
Dennis and the docks at Bruges and
drove down an enemy machine.
Large quantities of explosives were
dropped Tuesday on the airdome at
Aertrycke and the dump at Engel
with good results. An enemy sea-
plane was brought down at sea, an
other was downed within the British
lines and third was sent down out
of control"
Lndon, Feb. 20.-A German raid
ing attack on British positions near
Arleaux-En-G ohelle. south of Lens.
was repulsed last night by the Brit
ish it is announced officially. The
statement follows:
AFTER heavy preliminary bonn
bardment the enemy attempted to
raj our line last night east of Arlaux
En-Gohelle. The attacking party
was completely repulsed by our
troops with the loss of a number of
Germans killed or taken prisoner.
"A successful local enterprise was
carried out early last night north
east of Wytschaet. Several prisoners
We're captured by us.
Except for some patrol activity
northwest of st. Quentin nothing
further Of special interest occurred"
Berlin. via. London, Feb. 90
German forces on the Russian front
yesterday advanced to the northeast
and east of Dvinsk, the German war
office announced today.
Paris, Feb. 20.-Three German
raids on small French posts in the
region of Quincy wood. northwest of
Courcy and in the sector OF Vauquois
were repulsed by the French fire,
says today's official report.
There was rather violent artillery
fighting In the Champagne in the re-
gion of Butte de Mensil (where the
American batteries took part in the
French attack Of February 13) and
in the Vosges.
ION the remainder of the front the
night passed in quiet"
NU,vN q