New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-07-22
CHATEAU 1HIERRY
EVACUATED BY FOE
Allied Pressure and Heavy Gun
fire Forces Germans to Leave
CBv the Associated Press. J

With the French Army in France
July 21-Chateau Thierry the corner
stone of the line of the farthest Ger
man advance, fell early this morning
when the French occupied the city,
driving the Germans before them.
The enemy has begun his retreat
northw ward under heavy pressure from
al sides, French, Americans and Brit
ish all participating in the thrust
which is pushing the Germans back.
Where the retreat will end cannot be
conjectured. as everything now de-
Ponds on the will of the allied COM
mander-in- chief (Gen. Foch.D
The German position in the vicinity
of Cha teau Thierry was doomed from
the moment their division recrossed
the Marine. Franco erican troops
carried out an encircling movement
from the northwest at the So me time
which made it absolutely necessary for
tbs enemy to withdraw. In the
course Of the night reconnaissance
were effected by the French to test
the strength Of he Germans still in
town, and shortly after dawn the
allied reoccupstion became an &C.
complished fact
From heights overlooking the Marine
the Associated Press correspondent
observed the scene of the battle
throughout yesterday until after
nightfall. 1t was evident that the
Germans were contemplating a fur
Their retreat after their defeat at the
hands Of the French, American,
British and Italian divisions, which by
vigorous counter attacks and rnanoeu-
yres had brought about a, precipitate
retreat of the German Crown Princes
chosen troops and sent them fleeing
to the northern bank Of the Marine.
Under Fire ~ Hours.
These troops did not get across the
Marine without hindrance, as the
French and American artillery kept
up steady fire upon them One
group Of American field batteries fired
continuously for II hours aiming both
at the banks of the Marine and the
pontoons erected by the enemy across
the stream. For long periods enemy
troops were prevented by this fire
from utilizing the pontoons for cross
ing the river.
In the meanwhile allied troops, in
Guiding French and Americans. con-
tinually harried the German infantry
units which had tried for several days
to ascend the Marine valley toward
Epernay. The enemy eventually was
forced back yesterday morning into
the valley of the Marine. where he
occupied, but not for long. narrow
strip Of ground. Here the German
fought desperately ... ..-.,---..
Even when they reached the north
ern side of the river the Germans had
their columns as they tried to reach
the shelter of the valleys beyond.
Their chances of obtaining supplies of
ammunition and food were meager,
for the French and American guns
poured proiectiles over the crests into
the ravines and along the road leading
to the river.
Meanwhile there was some indication
that the Germans were removing their
big guns from the northern side, for
their reply to the allied bombardment
was very weak, although at some
points shells fell with fair frequency
During all this time the allied
troops operating along the western
flank Of the German salient continued
to progress, making the positions of
the Germans precarious.
Aviators reported German troops
concentrating in the Hollows, evident
ly in preparation for a fresh move to
the rear in order to escape the dan
ger of being cut off. The airmen car
ried out their task under extreme diff |
f1culties. The wind was blowing a
hurricane, yet they flew and did won
derful work, reporting frequently to
the allied commanders who could thus
train the artillery on places where the |
Germans were massing.
Fashions and Fads.