The Washington times., 1918-07-26
CROWN PRINCE
BEATEN BECAUSE
KNEW PLANS
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worn out and ali their tight gone,
took little pains to disguise their
plans.
The French were tired. it Is true,
but 30 were the Germans The latter
delayed longer than the French
thought they would, the reason prob
ably being the necessity to allow re-
operation OF slightly wounded men
md to get the classes Of 1919 entirely
ready for the campaign.
GouraBd Goes Ahead.
At first the French were eertain
the attack was coming July Z, and
hat It would be in the Champagne,
west Of Rheims. oh July 10 it was
thought the 18th surely would be the
late. anticipating the Germans would
expect the French not to be ready,
because OF their national fete, and
would hope to accomplish a great
moral advantage from the effect of
hitting the French on their Indepen-
1ence Day.
When it didn't come the night OF
the l4th. General Gouraud ordered q
cup de mSin, capturing twenty-seven
prisoners, from whom definite knowl-
edge was obtained that the battle
would start at midnight Thereupon
The artillery opened up on the Ger
man lines.
1t was realized from the outset that
the French first lines could not be
held, so a zone OF outposts was
formed. with little groups of officers
and men. whose duty waA-to fire and
break up the advancing waves as
much as possible, while maintaining
;areful communication with the main
force by means Of underground wires,
pigeons. etc.
Gouraud's army consisted entirely
Of French. except an American re-
'erye division (21.5O0 men).
General Bertolets army. beside the
French. had one Italian corps and
two American divisions-one in the
line and one in reserve.
Big Guns Let Loose.
When, at midnight, the movement
began under cover of shells, gas and
smoke, the fourth army dropped
back. leaving only its outposts. Then
French T5s and other guns, which
had been silent several days and
their presence unknown to the
enemy, cut loose. guided by the out
Josts. instructions. They wrought
terrible havoc and seriously inter
erred with the German advance. In
many cases the German second lines,
keeping a time table. walked direct
ly into their heaviest losses. No
where did they reach the line OF re-
sistance the first day. and Gouraud
was able TO report the Champagne
attack stopped.
German shells and a smoke screen
enabled them to pass the Marine the
hrst day and to go well forward.
reaching the line of resistance at
some points.
The next day the Champagne ef-
fort ended, while the other pushed
lightly toward Epernay. II was
now seen that the German plan was
TO take Epernayl and Chalons. Join
heir two armies, tthrow in all their
90 erver. and smash one or the other
u the divided French armies This
was obviously impossible of reali- :
zation. and the French counter at
tack was then decided on.
The minimum number OF men need
ed to hold theelines were set aside
for that purpose. All other availables
were planted in the region between !
compiegne and Montdidier. When II |
Nas certain the Germans were thor |
'oushly engaged. these were concen- !
rated In the Nilleps- COtterets forest !
Treason Charges Made.
Previously. French local operations /
rad obtained the needed base for
ihese attaeks on the plateau Of
chaudun. On the night OF the nth.