Evening star., 1918-07-19
ADVANCE BY FOCH
DAES THE ENEMY.
Attack by Franco-American :
Forces Catches the Ger
mans Unaware.
VIOLENT STORM AN AID

By the Associated Press.
ON THE FRENCH FRONT IN
FRANCE July 1S.-When the en-
tsnte allies attack began at dawn to-,
day the Germans were surprised and
offered slight resistance in the ad-
vanced lines. many >inmediateiy
throwing up their arms and shouting
''kamersd." & ~
Tho barrage fire preceded the waves
of infantry. but one Of the heaviest
storms of this year drowned the noise
of the shells.
Most Of the G0nans had taken
shelter in their dugouts from the
deluge, and the entente allied troops
were among them with grenadss and
bayonsts before they had time to turn
around.
Many prisoners are coming in.
The entente allied troops are dis
playing the utmost fervor In the at
tack, their desire being to strike a
strong blow in return for the recent
German assault.
; Taste Of Own Medicine.
1t is the first occasion this year
that the entente allies have counter
attacked on such big front. Their
operation directly affects the position
of the German western flank and
probably will cause the German
crown prince to hurry some of his re-
serves to the scene Of the fighting
from the Marine and the Champagne.
where yesterday and today every
Tha Germana have widely an
nounced that their armies were en-
gagged in an offensive war movement
This operation gives them the other
side Of such warfare. in which the al
lies have taken the Initiative; -
The allied commander-in-chief had
permitted the enemy to exhaust
large portion of his forces in striking
the blows on both sides Of Rheims
which were intended to be heavy
enough to weaken the French army.
The blow was successfully parried and
before the Germans recovered suf-
flciently to fill the great gap In their
ranks and make another effort. the
allies bounded back and staggered
them with a lightning.1ike diversion
from the Marne to the Aisne.
Thousands of prisoners. scores Of
cannon, hundreds of machine guns
and much other material fell into the
hands Of the allied troops. Besides gain
ing possession Of the heights dominating
Soissons from the south a couple dozen
villages were reconQuered by the al
lies. who tonight were engaged in
severe fighting which disconnected the
enemy along the whole line from Cha
teau Thierry to Soissons-
Attack Absolute Surprise.
The French-American attack along
the broad front north OF the Marne
was an absolute surprise. Many Ger
man oficers were captured while
asleep. and numbers of the men were
taken while harvesting rye The
greatest stupefactiop- was created
among all the enemy troops holding
| the lines at the suddenness of the at
tack. Some of the prisoners declare
they had been told that it was i'm
possible for the ailis to carry out any,
operation in the way OF an Offensive
for some time.
tack. having been able to take up
their positions during the terrific
storm which prevailed.
The American troops. cooperating
with their French comrades In the
assault, did brilliant work.
Around Vourchamp, northwest of
| Chateau Thierry. the German re-
| eistance was more obstinate than on
! any other part Of the Paris line. In
this region the allies captured eight
| cen cannon, numerous machine guns
| and large numbers OF prisoners. who
| have not yet been counted.
The allied troops showed wonderful
| spirits and advanced singing. A bat
| TALON of infantry crossed the River
| Savieres breast-high in water.