Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-07-29
tending their gains north
of the Ourcq river and
elsewhere on the twenty
five mile fighting front.

~ NAAS - NsA>
elsewhere on the twenty
five mile fighting front.
After they had forced in the south
ern side of the German salient the
allies concentrated strong pressure
upon the fianks. especially south OF
the German base at 7oissons. where
a violent struggle developed.
The developments of the last forty
eight hours have revealed that the
Germans withdrew their, main forces
and the bulk of their artillery far to
the north.
On the eastern wing of the west
the allies have been striking hard In
the direction of the Ardre valley.
1t becomes more and more appar-
ent that Hindenburg plans to make
his chief stand on the lines of the
Aisne and Vesle rivers, altho power
ful resistance may be encountered
before the Vesle is reached in the
district Immediately west of Rheims.
The triangle between the Vesle river
and the Argre in that area contains
many high hills adaptable to defen
sive purposes.
With Fere en-Tardenois In the
hands of the FrancO-Americans the
battle lines now run in an easterly
direction, past the northern bank OF
| the Ourcq river and thence along the
road from Fere-en-Tardepois to Olizy
et-Villaine, from there 1t leads north
ward along the Dormans-Rheims road.
The capture Of Fere-en.Tardenois
gives the Franco.Americans an i'm.
mense advantage in their encircling
movement against scissors from the
south and southeast.
Hold Fere.en-T ardennois.
With the American Army at the
Marne. July 29-The Franco Ameri-
can forces now hold Fere-en-Tarden-
nois. They have smashed all the Ger
man attempts to advance from the
wood lying on the east.
The artillery fire Is increasing on
both sides and each side has put IN
more troops,
After rushing down two divisions
from Fishes in motor trucks the Ger
mans threw them into the struggle
north of the Ourcq river, where thsv
are trying to make stand. The
Americans are holding to their posi-
tions on the northeast bank of the
river Bitter street fighting took
place at Sergy, both sides swaying in
and out Of the town.
Armored cars dashed around cor
ers with machine guns splitting
death into the Germanu ranks. a
q considerable number Of prisoner
We're captured during the night BY
Americans in the Sergy sector,
Advance Two Miles.
London. July 29--3 p M The Ger
mans are heavily resisting the allies
advance on the eastern flank of th'
Aisnc.Marne salient.
, Violent fghting is raging east o
\ Ferp-en -Tardcnnois. The village o
Sergy changed hands four times
1 finally remaining in possession OF tn
Q French. The allies advanced from
G TO three miles on a twenty mile front
: between y and o'clock Sunday. az
cording 10 dispatches from the Aisn
/. front today,
J. The Germans have abandoned tn
r Ourco river and are retreatlns nortt
y ward.
F. Franco American forces now hol
/. all of the northern bank OF the Ourc
G river
9 The entire Rheims Dormans road
either held or completely dominate
by the allies today
The Germans are expected to r.
treat beyond the Vesle river wher
they probably will make a stand
They are resisting stoutly hetwee
the Ardre and Semeigne where the
: have been checking, but not stoppin
the allied advance.
The Germans are burning village
between the Soissons and BazochC
sectors
pershing Confirms Gain
Washington July 90 -- The eros
ing by American troops OF the 0urC
river as reported IN press dispatche
IL was confirmed by General Pershi
In his commrnidue for July Is. mac
public by the War department toda
North of the Marne the American