American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-07-16


offensive in France began Monday
morning. Fierce battles are in pro-
gress on both sides of the famous
cathedral city of Rheims, which since
the last offensive along the Marne has
stood at the apex of a sharp salient
into the German lines.
West Of Rheims the Germans with
the pressure of large numbers of
troops, the unleashing of which was
preceded by a veritable hail of high
explosive 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 tine. Altogether
the two battlefronts aggregate about
65 miles in length.
Americans Have Notable Successes.
American troops are fighting valient-
ly on the sectors they have been hold
ing and at two points have met with
notable success. At Vaux they not
alone broke down a violent attack by
the enemy, but drove them back several
yards and only returned to their for
mer positions when the advance of
the Germans southeast of Chateau
Thierry across the Marne made the
reoccupation of their trenches of stra-
tegic value
Along the Marne, between the town
of Fossoy and the River Surmelin,
where the Germans crossed the Marne,
the Americans in a strong counter at
tack forced back the enemy to the
right bank of the stream. At other
points along the river they used to the
greatest advantage their machine guns
against enemy elements which we're
crossing the river on pontoon bridges,
killing or wounding many of them. In
the counter attack near Fossoy be-
tween 1000 and 1900 Germans were
made prisoner by the Americans.
The captured contingents included
a complete brigade staff The French
general in command on this sector
sent a congratulatory message to the
general in command of the American
troops.
The Germans, in addition to their
tremendous exI enditure of explosive
and gas shells, used NJ merous tanks
against the lines Of the defenders and
also opened with numerous naval gun
bombardments OF towns and cities far
behind the battle liLe. dropping upon
them shells from 10 and 12-inch pieces.
The details of the strategic scheme
the Germans have in view have not
yet been unfolded. 1t seems the main
objective in the irst stages is the
throwing of their lines southwark on
both sides # Rheims. enveloping that
city. The gaining of the southern
bank of the Marne and the straight
ening out eastward of their battle line
toward Verdun also may oe in the pro-
gram of the German high command.
Success in these movements would be
of great strategic value to the Ger
mans for an attempt on Paris.
Thirty-three days after they were
halted in their plunge toward Com
piegne, along the west bank of the
Disc, the Germans launched the new
phase of their offensive.
SO far as the length of line is con-
cerned, the present drive is the great
est of the year. Measurements of the
line where fighting is known to be
going on show that it is los kilo
meters, or 65.1 miles long. The at
tack against the Cambria front on
March q was over a front of So miles.
Allies Under Tempest OF Shells.
Sunday night terrible artillery fire
was loosed against the allied lines
from Chateau Thierry. on the west. to
Maison de Champagne. north of Mas
siges. on the east. For hours the en-
tente allied lines were under a tenn
pest of the most tremendous char
acter.
It had been expected that the Ger
man main effort would be against the
line from the Marne to the Aisne.
north of Chateau Thierry; in the
Picardy sector. towards Abbeville, or
further north, in the Lys sector,
against the channel ports. Along this
line the allies have been daily inn
proving their lines and providing for
the new drive.
But the Germans chose a sector
which. except for a surprise attack
around Rheims. late in June. has been
quiet since the offensive launched on
the Aisne May 81 came to a stand
still
The Germans hold the north bank
of the Marine for a distance of about
90 miles east of Chateau Thierry.
Their line on Sunday left the Marine
near the village of DOrmans and ran
off 10 the northeast TO Rheims, where
ir turned abruptly to the southeast
and ran down the valley of the Vesle
river to the village of la POmpelle.
where it turned eastward to a rela-
lively straight line to Verdun. Maison
de Champagne. the eastern limit OF
the present battle. is 81 miles west of
Nerdun.
While the Germans are making
their drive in the south and the Brit
ish around Ypres are pecking away al
the German lines with success as re-
cards the gaining of ground and the
taking of prisoners. the French and
italians in Albania are keeping up
their spectacular drive against the
Austrians and the French and ltal-
inns in the mountain region of the
Il l. h.. cir Aha