Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-29
Allied Troops
Push to North
Continued from PAGE One


enemy fell back from the whole Marne
position. his retirement in some places
!, attaining depth Of several miles.
The new line then ran approximate.
ly through Bruyeres. villeneuve Sur
Fere, Courmont, Passy, Trigny,
Cuisles. La Neuville.Aux.Larris and
Charnuzy, but Allied patrolling parties
who kept constantly on the heels of
the foe had penetrated here and there
beyond this line. Contact has never
been lost at any point and the Allied
troops are showing the greatest eager
ness to 60 forward.
Withdrawal Begun Gradually
The way In which this retreat was
brought about was constantly repeated
smashes night and day for the last
week until the enemy came to the con-
clusion that unless all his front line
troops were left 10 die in their positions
he must fall back II possible. without
the Allies perceiving his movement.
The method Of retreat adopted was
the gradual withdrawal Of one COM
pany from every two in the first line
Those remaining kept up constant
nre. SO as to give the impression that
the line was strongly held.
Then two sections OF each remaining
company were taken out. leaving only
one section in the line This last sec
ton retired during the night or at
dawn. but left behind some small posts.
consisting OF few men. with a con-
siderable number of machine, guns, to
cover the retreat.
These were specially picked men and,
in many cases. they were sacrificed as
the Allies rapidly noticed what was 60
ing on and came forward and sapped
most Of them. However In some in
stances. they were able to get away
and rejoin their comrades further back,
after which the same maneuver was
started from the second position.
Work Of Tanks Wonderful
The tanks came into, their own dur
ing this retreat, never leaving a mo-
inent's peace to the Germans since the
Allied counter-attack began Their work
has been wonderful. Fret they broke
tng the way for the assaulting infantry.
Afterward their crews. who have had
scarcely a moments rest, went on to
exploit the success gained by the foot
men.
The latter were sometimes held up
by nests of machine guns and called
for the tanks assistance. The call
was not In vain. for the tanks came for
ward and cleared all away in the short
est possible time.
The record OF the tank corps shows
that every section participating in the
hattie has at least fifteen to twenty ma :
chine guns to it's credit. They also fire.
uuently had the audacity to attack the
enemy's artillery. 1t is asserted that at
least in the vicinity of their units the
losses caused In the enemy's ranks by
the tanks were simply awful.
The Allied advance In some places
reaches several miles in depth. This is
the case above -Thierry. Then
II gradually diminishes until the eastern
pivot Of the German line q retreat is
removed to the southwest 81 Rheims.
Cavalry in Pursuit
Prisoners taken Saturday. of whom
there was quite large number, say
that the attacks of the British operating
IN the vicinity of Marfaux and Chau.
muny had much to do with the sudden
falling back of the enemy. but there is
no DOUBT that the CONSTANT pursuit OF the
French and Americans further west and
north also contributed large share. If
they give way at the other end the bulk
Of their forces in the interior of the
pocket will probably be sacrificed Their
sudden withdrawal in the center has not
relieved the Germans from incessant
harrying.N for some small bodies Of
French cavalry have already come into
action, while the tanks keep constantly
on the move In front of the ADVANCING
French, British and Americans and in
fantry patrols worry the German rear
guards.
The Allied aviators, too, despite bad
Aying weather, nit about only few hun.
dred feet overhead. and ply the enemy
With bombs by night and machine guns
ky day .F-S