The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-06-10
GERMANS Open
new DRIVE ON
P|CARDY LINE
Launch Big Offensive on 22-MiIe
Front After Heavy Bom-
bardment.
GAIN 4 MILES At NoYoN
Paris Says Enemy Advanced at Only
One Point and Then at an Appall-
ING Cost-AIlies Hold Firm
on Both Wings.

on Both Wings.
Paris, June 1O.-It was announced
that the enemy's attack on the Noyon-
Montdidier front had succeeded in ad-
vancing a bare four miles at one
point only, and then at an appalling
cost. Everywhere else. the statement
said. the Germans were being held.
Drive On for compiegne.
London, June 1O.-The armies Of
Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria
opened strong southwark drive over
20-mile front between Noyon and
Montdidier Sunday. In their early
rush they advanced to maximum
depth of two and half miles. Their
first objective is Compiegne. Their
grand objective is Paris.
The Invaders made their greatest
gains In the center Of the line stormed,
as the French held firmly on both
wings. Offering the most powerful and
bitter resistance to the multiplied eff
forts Of the enemy.
Huns Enter Two Towns.
AAAOuACclucul VI Tic GcIludu du.
vance, which was made in great force,
came in the official statement of the
Paris war Office.
German general headquarters in its
communiQue only claimed capture of
the height of Curry, little southwest
of Lassigny.
The French are holding the line Of
Rubercourt, Leffretory and Mertemer,
it Is officially announced. It is ad-
mitted that the Germans have gained
a foothold in Bessons-Sur-Matz and
Mareuil.
Eleven Miles From compiegne.
These gains place the Germans at
one point within II miles of Com
piegne, which they regard as the gate
way to Paris.
All element of surprise to the allies
was eliminated when the German ar
tillery over the 2O-mile line opened
up a terrific fire.
Blow Falls at Dawn.
Immediately the French batteries
began a unter-bombardment Of ter
rife character, but by 4 80 a. m. the
German guns had sufficiently prepared
the way for the infantry, and wave
after wave Of gray coats swept for
ward In vicious assaults.
Until noon the French resistance
over the entire line was effective, but
the German assaults, multiplied in
their fury, later pressed back the gal
liant defenders.
The French war Office said the on
slaughts were "murderous' for the
enemy troops, who suffered frightful
ceaseless waves in the face Of con-
centrated fire.
On the center the French troops
fell back foot by foot, exacting heavy
toll for every bit Of ground yielded.
On the right and left wings the
Germans were able to penetrate the
allied advanced covering zones"
large force Of Americans has been
holding ground along the new fighting
line and are believed In action
French Statement
Paris. June 1O.-The day report
says:
The Germans began at midnight q
violent preparatory artillery fire from
the region north of Montdidier as far
as to the east Of the Disc. The
French batteries Immediately intensi-
fed their fire In counter preparation.
At 4 80 o'clock the German infan-
try mcde an attack on the French
positions between Montdidiec and
Noyon. Our troops are resisting with
magnificent valor In the covering zone.
The battle Is continuing.
Between the Disc and the Aisne the
French carried out q local operation
east of Hautebraye and gained ground,
taking 90 prisoners.
South of the Ourcq the French i'm
proved their positions east of Chezy.
The Germans, who succeeded at ten
o'clock at night in penetrating the
French lines near Vinly, were thrown
out completely by French counter
attack.
AT the same hour the French cam
tured ElOup wood, and this morning
the wood directly south of Bussiares.
In these operations we took 200 pris-
oners, including five officers.
West Of Reims. after spirited bom-
bardment, the Germans attacked in
the region Of Vrigny. They suffered
serious losses without obtaining any
results.
French Statement
Paris, June 10.-The war Office night
statement follows:
The fresh German offensive which
began Sunday morning continues yio-