The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-08-22
British and French Begin New
Offensive Between Albert
and Montdidier.
HAIG DIRECTS The drive
Allies Force Crossing Of tho VesIe Riv-
er in Face Of Strong Resistance
Plans for Siberian Expedition
March States American
Army Program.
By EDWARD w. PICkARD.

Having thoroughly whipped the
armies of the German crown prince
and driven them back beyond the
NcSle river, Foch now a marshal of
France, turned his attention in the
middle of the week to the forces un-
der the Ravarian crown prince, Rup-
prccht At dawn on Thursday the Brit
ish Fourth army and the French First
army, under command of Field Mar
Shal Ilalg, began an offensive on
wide front in the region cast and south
east Of Amirns. The front under at
tack was about twenty eight miles in
length. from Albert south to the vicin-
fly Of Montdidler.
Within 24 hours the allied forces had
penetrated the enemy lines to points
from six to seven miles beyond the start,
had taken more than 10000 prisoners
and great quantities Of material and
many guns. and had occupied numerous
towns. Their own losses were remark
ably light. Tanks led the infantry in
the attack and did wonderfully good
work
Complete success in this offensive
would result In obliterating the Ger
man salient in the Montddier region
and would imperil the entire Hun line
from Rcms to Yprcs. The Germans
seem to have anticipated this move
mcnt by the allies and some days prev
lOuSly withdrew their forces there and
In other sectors to stronger positions.
Progress by the allies here carries
them into the picardy country which
l.,
retreat Of March. 1917. and again de-
vnstatod by them when they drove for
ward this year
-Ha-
The defeated but not diSorganiZcd
fluns between scissors and tcims, as
was predicted, gathered their strength
for pause in their retreat between
the Vcsle and the Aisnc. Their guns
were brought into play from the plat
eau In that region which commands
the Vcslc valley. The Germans, in
deed, made strenuous attempts to pre-
vent the French and Americans from
crossing the Vesle. especially In the
vicinity of Fismes, but numerous rela-
lively small units forced the crossings
and held onto their new positions de-
spite furious counter-attacks. These
operations were mostly between
Braisne and Fismes. Up to the close
OF the week Marshal FOch had not
tried to send any very large forces
across the river, probably waiting un-
til his artillery could drive the Huns
from the nearer hills to the north.
The Germans were using only medium
caliber guns, which was taken to mean
that their heavier artillery was being
placed north Of the Aisne to defend
that line; for there seemed little doubt
that they would be forced that far
north before very long. Their position
south Of the Aisne was said to be real
ly untenable though seemingly strong.
At the west end Of the line the French
| and Americans were steadily pushing
east along the Aisne, and ut the east
end Immediately north of Reims the
French made considerable advance be.
tween the railways running to Laon
and Kcthel.
The city Of Fismes, which was sc
gallantly taken by the Americans, was
rs gallantly held against all attacks
though the Germans deluged 1t with
explosive and gas shells. The machine
gun and rifle fire Of the Yankees was
so accurate as to arouse the ndmira
tion Of their allies.
-Ea--
Activity increased during the weei
IN theSLys salient which the Germans