The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-07-20
GERMAN DEFEAT
At EPERNAY DUE
TO TEAM WORK
Continued From Page ~

strong countcr-attack was launched
Thursday on the front between the
Aisne and the Marine and is progressing
iavOrahly.
"Marne" Written in Foes Blood
I spent a long day yesterday in the
battle area | can not descrihc the plan
Of the allied troops 1t can be taken
for granted that the menace against
Cpuraud's flank will be avered and be-
fore the battle ends the name OF the
Marnc may, for a second time be writ
ten in history in letters OF German
blood
The performance OF the French army
holding Rheims and the Argonne sec
tor will stand as a model OF prepara-
ton for, and the execution OF, victorious
resistance against one OF the most for
midabe attacks in history supported
by an enormous weight of artillery and
carried out by picked troops in greatly
superior numbers 1t is impossible to
oycrcmphasi1e the completeness OF the
vitcory that IN a few hours broke the
drive Of 25O0OO of Germany's best sol
diers without losing a single gun or
foot OF ground, whose abandonment
WAS not deliberate and voluntarily In
this case the men did their duty so
thoroughly as to lead a staff officer to
say.
Outpost Prevent Defeat.
"Our success was due in great meas
IRE TO the ability and devotion of the
troops in the outpost zone. Thanks to
them the attack was checked every
where along our battle line with great
slaughter and the piercing Of the
French positions whereof the Germans
boast, was limited TO the occupation
Of narrow strip of shell-torn ground
Which we never for a moment proposed
30 retain
The secret OF the French victory was
the perfect team work throughout the
whole army Under command OF Gen
tral Gouraud, who already had won
a reputation, not only as hero. but
ss one OF the ablest French leaders.
every service OF the army from staff
work to the handling of infantry and
artillery llaison, functions without a
hitch. And admirable proof OF the pre-
FAILING spirit every man, officer or
poilu, gives credit TO the example and
Ability of the general, while the gen
tral explains II by the courage and de-
votion Of his suhordinates
Raids Daily Since July S.
The intelligence department had kept
track of the enemy preparations tor
considerable period and declare the
obvious conclusion that the battle was
Imminent Indeed, they had reason to
Suppose that the Germans we're fully
ready by July and ! consider the fact
that the attack was DELAYED until ten
days later indicates that cog slipped
somewhere in the hostile machine or
else there was a hesitation which argues
we'll for the allies. To keep check on
the German intention from day to day.
Couraud maintained an incessant series
OF raids.
Last night saw the general, who
vas sitting in small bar room, whose
walls were hung with maps He wpre
none OF his innumefable decorations,
save over his heart the military medal
with the war cross--the poilus' medal
that Is never awarded to officers save
to commanding generals for extraor-
dinary merit and the big silver star Of
commander of the legion of honor on.
the opposite side OF his tunic.
Americans Aid IN Defeat.
"Hesterday was a great day for
france" began an officer. I'VE have
/, nRod reasons TO be proud Of our men.
4hy behaved splendidly, one and all
= the Americans with Us were just
POD. They were on the battle line
y posnt where the assault was very
- lsselt nesaiiissn.ly, TAsy