The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-19
new OFFENSIVE

mine the exact character of the opera
ton now going on between the Aisne
and the Marine. Even if 1t comes to
a halt today, it seems probable that
it will. have accomplishments purpose
the relieving of pressure against
Rheims - for General Ludendorff
probably will not continue his often
sive on the south while his right flank
and rear are seriously menaced.
A matter of intense interest is the
manner in which the Germans meet
the new onslaught. If the Germans
hold the allies after having been flung
back with a rapidity that seemed like
disorganiZation, the fighting qualities
of the enemy troops must be consid-
cred to be as good as could be de-
sired by the German high command.
So far reports tell of the situation
the German advance from Dormans TO
Rheims seems to have come to a
halt. This is the situation, likewise,
east of Rheims.
Raiding operations are reported on
the Montdidier-Noyon and Woevre
and also along the British lines.
Moving swiftly and powerfully the
brilliant French-American stroke be-
tween the Aisne and the Marine, the
first offensive in which the Americans
have taken part, is rolling eastward.
gathering in its path thousands of
prisoners, scores of cannon, hundreds
of supplies
From the heights west of Scissors.
the allies now command that base and
the railway lines to it. Cannon
brought up elsewhere dominate the
important communication and trans
port lines in the triangle, Rheims,
Chateau Thierry. scissors.
Smash Was Complete Surprise.
All accounts agree that the smash
planned by General Foch was COM
plete surprise to the enemy all along
the twenty front. 1t stopped the
German offensive astride the Marine
and around Rheims.
The allied blow was as effective as
an offensive as it was move to les
sen the pressure southwest of Rheims
and along the Marine. South of the
Aisne the AmericanS advanced six
miles to within mile of Scissors. At
most as great and the average ad-
vance is between three and four miles.
according to latest ad ices received in
Paris. This compares most favorably
with the German progress in three
days on both sides of Rheims.
Allies Now Dominate Scissors.
Important strategic positions be-
tween the Aisne and the Marine and at
least twenty villages are now occu-
pied by the French and Americans.
The allies reached and advanced be-
yond the line OF BeHeau, Courchamps,
Chouy Villers-Helon, Chaudun, and
the heights dominating Scissors The
first attack carried the French and
Americans to their third objective
and as the German resistance had not
stiffened greatly, another attack was
begun Immediately, and the allies are
still surging forward. So rapid was
the allied advance southwest of Sois-
sons that cavalry was thrown into the
Fray Field guns and machine guns
were brought ue rapidly and aided by
many tanks did effective execution In
the enemy ranks. Northwest of Cha
teau Thierry American officers in the
evening had their headquarters on
ground held by the Germans in the
morning. Immense stores were taken
in the scissors region. Even air.
planes could not be gotten out of the
way.
Took Fifty Cannon in One Place.
American troops in the Scissors re-
gion alone took 1000 prisoners, fifty
cannon and 1000 machine guns. with
| prisoners and Guns yet to be counted.
| Large numbers of prisoners were
well as guns and supplies, while the
French made important captures all
alo- the line. The French encoun-
| tered strong resistance at Courchamps
but broke thru and took eighteen
| guns.
German Position Imperiled.
| scissors now is useless to the Ger
mans as base of operations Rheims
| is safe apparently for the time being
| and a continued Franco-American adj
vance between the Aisne and the
Marine will compel the German crown
| prince to withdraw his armies along
] the Marine. Even without further ad-
vance the German positions in the
triangle is imperilled. More allied