The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-07-16

from Chateau Thierry to Maison de
Champagne. north Of Massiges and
far east after Rheims. over a front
about SIS miles in length.
Latest reports from the battlefield
states that the Germans have crossed
the Marine at several places. This
probably refers to the reaches Of the
Marne between Chateau Thierry and
Dormans.
American troops are. engaged in the
battle in this particular region and
reports say they are ''handling the
enemy we'll" They broke up the Ger
man drive in the yaux region, west OF
Chateau Thierry. by a dashing counter
attack.
Reports show that so far as the
length of line is concerned, the pres
emit drive is the greatest of the year.
At first it was believed from the
French war Office statement that the
line was about SO miles in extent but
apparently the report from Paris told
simply Of the length of the French
held lines under attack. Measure
ments OF the line where fighting Is
known to be going on. however, show
that II Is los metres, or 65.1 miles
long The attack along the Cambria
front on March 81. was over a front
of So miles.
Last night a terrible artillery fire
was loosed against the allied lines
sectors towards Abbeville. or further
from Chateau Thierry on the West to
Maison de Champagne. and Massignes
to the east For hours the entente
allied lines were under a tempest OF
the most tremendous character. Not
only was the actual battle area under
bombardment but towns and cities far
behind the lines were made targets
for great 10 and IL inch projectiles
We're fred from what appears to be
naval siege guns brought up behind
the German positions.
During the last few weeks it has
been rumored that the resumption OF
the German offensive would witness a
long range bombardment of places
which would heretofore be considered
at a safe distance from the front.
These rumors proved to be true.
The lay world had expected the
German main effort to be loosed
again the Marine to the Aisne. north
Of Chateau Thierry; in the Picardy
sectors towards Abbeville, or farther
north in the Lys sector against the
channel ports. Along this line the |
allies have been daily improving their |
lines and preparing for the new drive. |
But the Germans chose a sector which |
except for surprise attack around
Rheims, late in June. has been quiet /
since the offensive launched on the
Aisne on May 81. came 60 standstill.
East of Rheims and north Of Chalons.
here has been but little fighting Of
Iigniicance for a long time.
This line. of which Rheims may be
considered the keystone. was chosen
or the reason that information might
nave been received by the Germans
sectors along the front nearer Paris.
Thus it might be reasonable to expect
hat a greater territory could be over
'un there at a smaller expense of men
md materials than on the lines where |
he allies are known to be very strong.
The Germans hold the north bank
II the Marine for a distance of about
wenty miles east Of Chateau Thierry !
Their line leaves the Marine near the
yillage OF Dormans and runs off to the
northeast to Rheims. where Ii turns
abruptly to the southeast and runs
Town to the village or La Pompelle
where 1t turns eastward and runs in
relatively straight line to verdun.
VI JASON de .0ndInpdGnes the eastern
INIT of the present battle is 81 miles
vest OF verdun.
Located back OF the allied line east
4 Rheims is the railroad which sup
lies the French forces at Verdun and
he Americans at st. Mihiel with food
nd supplies. In this sector, too. are
he important cities of Chalons. Eper-
lay, and Bar lie Due, all three of
which are important supply. centers
or the allied forces. The railroad
vas interrupted to some extent by the
serman advance to the Marine be-
ween Rheims and Chateau Thierry,
'ut 1t is still a very important artery
or the allied forces.
. The only other lighting Of moment
eported from the front has occurred
n the Villers-Bretonneux sector in
ront OF Amiens. where the British
ave improved their positions.