The Sentinel=record., 1918-07-16
WAR At A GLANCE
(By the Associated Press.)


The expected renewal of the Ger
man offensive in France has begun.
Fierce battles are in progress on both
sides OF the famous cathedral city OF
Rheims, which, since the last offensive
along the Marne has stood the apex
of sharp salient into the German
line.
West OF Rheims the Germans with
a pressure of large numbers OF troops,
the unleashing of which was preceded
by a veritable hail of high explosives,
and gas shells, have been enabled to
cross the Marne at several places.
East OF the city. however, they have
been held for the smallest of gains
by the tenacious resistance Of the.
defenders of the line.
Altogether the two battle fronts ag-
gregate about sixty-five miles in
length.
American troops are fighting vail
antly on the sectors they have been
holding and at two points have met
with notable success. AT Vaux they
not alone broke down violent at
tack by the enemy, but drove him back
several hundred yards and only re-
turned to their former positions when
the advance OF the Germans south
east OF Chateau Thierry, across the
Maine made the reorganization Of
their trenches OF strategic value
Along the Marne between the town
OF Fossoy and the river Surmelia,
where the Germans crossed the Marine,
the Americans III strong counter at.
tack forced back the enemy to tho
right bank. AT other points along the
river they used to the greatest ad-
vantage their machine guns against
enemy elements which were crossing
the river Oh pontoon bridges, killing
or wounding many of them.
In The counter attack near Fossoy
between 1000 and 800 Germans were
made prisoner by the Americans. The
captured contingents included a COM
plete brigade staff The French gen.
eral in command on this sector sent
a congratulator message to the gen
eral in coinand of the American
troops.
The Germans in addition to their
tremendous expenditure Of explosive
and gas shells. used numerous tanks
AGAINST the lines of the defenders and
also opened with numerous naval guns
ombardments of towns and cities far
behind the battle line dropping upon
them shells from 10 and IL inch
pieces.
The details OF the strategic scheme
the Germans have in view have not
vet been unfoldeG. 1t seems apparent
however. that the main objective in
the first STAGES OF the offensive is the
throwing of their lines southwark on
both sides of Rheims, enveloping that
city anu forcing its capituation. The
gaining of the southern bank of the
Marne and the Strengthening out east
ward of their battle line toward YER
dun also may be in the program of tae
German high command
Success in these movements wouli
be of great strategic value to the Ger
mans if it is intended by them ul-
timately to drive on to Paris.
While the Germans are making their
drive in the south the British around
Ypres are pecking away at the Ger
man lines with success as regards the
gaining OF ground and the taking OF
prisoners the French and Italians IN
Albania are keeping up their spectac-
ular drive against the Austrians ana
the French and Italians in tine mo1n
tain region of the Italian theater dai-
ly are harrassing the enemy with pa
troll attacks OF considerable violence
and bombardments.