The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-15
This Was Considered Quiet Sec.
tor on Western Lines.
Huge Naval Guns Tear Up
Country for Many Miles.
MOST TERRIBLE ARTILLERY FIRE
Tempest of Gas and Explosives
Followed by the Infantry.
Effort Now To Capture Rheims
on New Drive to Paris.

Paris, July Is (4:15 p. m.).-The
French army of the Champagne is
holding magnificently against the new
German drive according to dispatches
received from the battle front this
afternoon
The enemy concentration appears to
have been greatest between Dormans
and Rheims "a front of 25 miles). The
Germans are reported to have crossed
the Marne at several points between
Chateau Thierry and Dormans. which
should be easy because of the narrow
ness of the river. Elsewhere the
French are holding the Germans in
their outpost zones.
Simultaneously with the drive on
the fifty mile front between Chateau
Thierry and Main De Massiges, the
Germans attempted a formidable at
tack on the Oureq front, toward La
Fere Milon (15 miles northwest of
Chateau Thierry). They encountered
a crushing barrage and were unable to
debouch from their own positions.
(By the Associated Press)
After wait of thirty-three days
since they were halted in their plunge
toward Compiegne, along the west
bank of the Disc, the Germans at dawn
mighty offensive by attacking from
Chateau Thierry to Maison De Cham
pagne; north of Massiges and far east
of Rheims, over a front about sixty
five miles in length.
Latest reports from the battlefield
state that the Germans have crossed
the Marne~ at several places. This
probably refers to the reaches of the
Marine 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"
Yanks Break Up Attack
They broke up the German drive in
the Vaux region west of Chateau
Thierry by dashing counter attacks.
Reports show that, SO far as the
length of the line is concerned the
present drive is the greatest of the
year.
At first it was believed from the
French war office statement that the
line was about fifty miles in extent,
but apparently the report from Paris
told simply of the length of the
Frenrh-held lines under attack
Measurements of the line where fight
ing is known to be going on, however,
show that it is los kilometers, or 65.1
miles long. The attack against the
Cambria front on March 21 was over a
front of fifty-five miles.
Last night a terrible artillery fire
was loosed against the allied lines
from Chateau Thierry on the west to
Maizon de Champagne north of Mas
sieges, on the east.
Tempest of Fire.
For hours the entente allied lines
were under a tempest of the most tre-
mendous character. Not only was the
actual battle area under lombard
ment, but towns and cities far behind
the lines were made targets for great
ten and Twelve inch projectiles fired
from what appears to be naval siege
guns brought up behind the German
positions.
Rumors Proved True.
During the past few weeks it has
been rum rref that the resumption of
the German offensive would witness
long range bombardment of places
which had heretofore been considered
at a safe distance from the front.
These rumors proved to be true.
The lay world had expected the
GConriuurI Or Uage TwoI