Arizona republican., 1918-07-29
GERMAN LINE
 AGAIN NORTH
 OF THE OURCQ
Tightening of Hanks Holds
 Promise Retreat Will Con-
 tinue. Americans Play Brilliant Part In Advance
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY ON THE AISNE- FRONT, July 2S.-(By The Associated Press, D. m.) The German line is again north of the Ourcq river and Fere en Tardenois, which has been entered by French troops, is at the mercy of the allies. The tightening of the Hanks holds promise that the retreat will continue.
 The line along the greater part of the bottom of SoissonS- Reims salient has been pushed forward in some places as much as five miles. The Germans are bringing into play their artillery in force to check the plunges of the Franco American troops. The Americans have played a brilliant part in the advance, which included the oc- equation of Sergy on the north bank of the river and a number of small villages.
 Huns Offer Better Resistance The line tonight follows the Ourcq river to Sergy and to Goussancourt. the latter place lying about six miles north of the Marne.
 The Germans offered bitter resis- tance, but not to compare with that which began late today for the reten- i tion of the higher ground further north of the river. There they supplemented their defense with artillery fire reaching over the American front lines to the supports, the volume of fire at times attaining enormous proportions. i Unwavering, the Americans held their ground and even advanced 1 slightly, while the French on their sec tors to the right and left resisted as steadily against the vicious efforts oi the Germans.
 | From behind the advancing lines the allied heavy guns kept up a contin- uous bombardment throughout the day smelling the German positions, wher- ever the airmen reported troop concen- 1 ttratiOnS. l Use Heavy Artillery
 1 Heavy artillery has been used t some extent by the Germans in thei rear guard actions but to no such ex | tent as today and this gives some basi for belief that von Boehm, the German | commander is preparing to make stand. It is pointed out that until tn Ardre river is reached all the advan tageS of ground are with the allies. S it is generally believed that the drop ping back of his heavy guns is merel an indication that his armies are be ing. withdrawn with all speed from position which is intolerable and whic unless relieved, might result in the dis organization of what so far has been q admirably conducted retreat.
 The Americans began their advanc on Sergy carly in the morning. The had been driven back a short distahc Saturday night but when they move this morning under cover of the artil lery-a few pieces going forward wit the advanced line-they proceeded al most unchecked to the river, crosse the bridge and occupied the town abou mid forenoon.
 Gas No Deterrent
 The Germans used gas, but the at tacking party long ago had had il baptism of gas fumes and knew how { utilize the masks and to avoid the "a vines through which the fumes filtere' When the town was occupied there ws some street fighting, but not much, tf Germans retreating to higher groun
 Until today the wounds received | l the American soldiers have not bee serious as a rule on account of the fai ure of the Germans to use artillery.
 great majority of the wounds wel clean flesh wounds made by bulle from machine guns and rifles.
 Considerable material has been cal tured, including a few locomotive which the Germans put out of commi! sion. There were relatively few pri. oners.
 Many stories are told among the O lines of the depreciation in the Ge
 man morale. Greatest significance
 attached to letter taken from an 0 ficer. written by his brother in Ge many giving it as his opinion that
 revolt was imminent unless the w
 was stopped.