Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-06-21
German Shock Troops
Moved Down bY French

mOWeu DOWIl Dy FFenCn
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN
FRANCE. June 19.-(By the Associated
Press. Large units of German shock
troops which had been concentrated on
the western side of Rheims, between
Vrigny and Ornes. and which went over
TO assault last night, were met with
such an awful fire from the French
defense that they were unable to make
the slightest progress. They suffered
such losses after trying time after time
to reach the French positions that only
few of the attackers were able to re-
turn to their own lines.
NEW YORK, June 19.-tSummary of
European Cables to the Associated
Press) .-Standing firmly before the
war-stricken city Of Rheims, the French
have checked a new German drive
launched last night, five days after
the offensive on the Montdidier-Noy On
line came to a halt. In the fighting
the active battle front has been e.
tended to a point five miles southeast
of the cathedral city.
At 6 o'clock Tuesday evening the
German artillery began a heavy bonn
bardment between Vrigny, west of
Rheims. to the village of LaPompelle.
on the north bank of the Vesle river
east of that city. Three hours later
the Teutonic infantry stormed out Of
their trenches to begin the assault.
According to the official statement is
sued at Paris, the Germans were no.
where successful in their attempts to
enter the French lines. being repulsed
with heavy losses.
The front over which the new at
tack was launched is approximately
fourteen miles in length. 1t has been
expected that the Germans would soon
er or later attempt to straighten out
their lines in this region because the
close of the Aisne offensive left the
allies in a favorable position along the
front from the Marine east of Chateau
Thierry to the region north of Chalons.
Having interior lines, they are able to
quickly concentrate their forces on
either side of the angle having its
apex at Rheims.
The ground over which the Germans
are attacking west of Rheims is rath
err high and irregular. To the north
of the city il is more level and to the
east the French, being between the en-
envy and the Vesle river, would bA
operating at a disadvantage were it not
for wooded hills which they hoId on
each side of the village of LaPompelle
Italians Holding Well
The connection between this assault.
and the one delivered between Mont
didier and Noyon last week is rather
OlrIlCuit TO trace, except lHdN Il
strengthening of the line would be CT
advantage to the foe.
Raiding operations are reported from
the British fronts in the Somme and
Lys sectors.
Fierce attacks are being made
by the Austrians to overcome the ltaI-
ian resistance along the Pt2Te, but the
defensive line still holds. Apparently
he enemy sees his only hope of sue
- - inc q
PiaVe, having been given a disastrous
check in the mountains from west Of
As'ogo to the Piave.
In the mountains the Austrians have
beer generally on the defensive since
Trey were CHECK Cd and then thrown
back over the terrain gained Saturday
in the first day OF the offensive.
The French and British around Ash
aso are under a heavy enemy lombard
ment and the French Tuesday repuls ed
a strong local Austrian effort. Along
the Val Suganna and against the bas-
tion of Monte Grappa the enemy holds
further attacks in allegiance.
Fighting Furious on Piave
Along the nearly 30-mile Piave line
the situation has not improved greatly
from an allied viewpoint, although the
Austrians have been defeated at most
points in efforts to enlarge their gains.
has crossed the river and how far he
has progressed into the Venetian plain
are not outlined clearly, but apparently
the Italians have given most ground on
the north around Montello, and on the
south of Cape Sile.
From their footholG on Monticello an
important plateau three by eight miles
in extent which dominates the country
between Bassano and Treviso, the Aus
TRANS are making violent Attempts to
Gr;ve the Italians off the height entire
~, while the Italians are fighting just
rs determinedly to keep the enemy
close to the river bank. The fight ng
the past two days has been favorable to
the Italians.
In the center from Maserada to Fos-
Saita the AuStrians are being held well
in check and have been unable to make
am progress across the Pave despite
repes ted attempts.
Seemingly the Aust-IanS Rave push
back the italians .seve,a! miles be-
tween Fossalta and Capo Sile and
alonE the Fosseta canal, which runs
southwest toward Venice. C@po Sile Is
in the lowlands along the Adriatic, but
if the enemy reaches the F0sseta canal
TO the north he would be on drier
ground and better able to push toward
Mestre and outflanG the line northward
along the PHO.
What gains The enemy has made
however. have been hardly commensu-
rate with the preparations made, the
shells expended and the lives lost. En-
pCroi Charles. unless his troops can
make swifter progress, will have to call
off his hunger offensive" and face the
ropulace at home. Reports have reach
wi ict