Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-20
GERMANS PREPARE
FOR MASS ATTACKS
Training Veteran Troops For Mobility
and Hope to Overrun Armies Of
Allies-Reinforceme From East
ern Front Believed to Be of Little
Value Because Of Lack of Training
in Trench Warfare.

both the Germans and the allies arc
ready for the long expected offensive
In the west. Secretary Baker says to-
day In his review OF military opera
tions for the week ending Feb. 16.
While there have been outwardly
no new developments In the military
situation in the west" says tho state
ment. yet 1t Is apparent that both tho
enemy and the allies. after extensive
preparations. which have been silently
and systematically carried on, are
ready for battle.
The Germans recently have with
drawn number OF their veteran west
front units from the first line trenches
and are busily training them In mobile
warfare.
According to advices received the
German general stan hopes that by
massing number OF these picked
shock battaliOns which have been in
tensively trained they may deliver a
crushing blow.
Reinforcsmonts Unframed.
The bulk OF the German forces now
are assembled In the west but the
large number of these units are wholly
unframed in the method OF western
front warfare. Furthermore. the Ger
man higher command realizes fully
that their forces will meet with far
more difficult obstacles than hitherto
encountered by an attacking army.
where the Russians were broken thru
only after tho Russian morale was
broken.
During tho week there has been
much activity OF a minor character
along the entire western front AS
already has been announced in Lor-
raine. a segment OF the line Is entirely
under the control Of our forces. Along
our front patrol encounters were
numerous. The Germans undertook Il
raid against our positions and infict-
cd few casualties.
"a small American patrol while
scouting In mo mans land was am
bushcd by tho enemy.
'"rhc weather was very rainy dur
ing the first part of tho week and our
to keep their trenches dry. Later clear
weather prevailed and hostile air.
planes frequently crossed our lines
"a marked Improvement in our
anti-aIr craft barragc is reported. Ar
tillery duels took place and the Ger
mans showcred our lines with gas
shells which, however. caused no
casualties.
Artillerymen Take Part in Attack.
Tn Champagne units Of American
artillery participated in an engage
mcnt undertaken by French forces.
This operation was the most import
ant Of the week in the west. After
very careful artillery preparatio ions.
French infantry advanced to the as
sault southwest Of Butte du Mesnil.
along Il French front of about 1.400
yards The French succeeded in pene-
trating the German positions, broke
thru the second and reached the third
Germanlincs. During this attack the
French destroyed many enemy shell
ters and brought back 1b0 prisoners.
"Other successful raids wero under
taken by French detachments in the
vicinity of Chemin dcs Danes. east OF
Rheims, In upper Alsace and elsewhere
The French drove forward twelve very
fortunate reconnaissance undertakings
on different parts OF the lines.
German units also were active.
Tho attempts near Bcsonvaux were
temporarily successful. However. seven
German raids at other points broke
down. French artillery kept the enemy
constantly engaged.
..rhe British front was also the
the scene Of numerous minor engage
ments. No important actions took
place, and the enemy evidently was
busy In disposing OF. fresh forces re-
Gently arrived from other theaters.
Activity in Italy.
"rn the Italian theater the enemy
has again assumed an aggressive atti-
tude.
..The Russian contlngcnts arc eva
cuating tho Armenian ccnters south OF
the Black sen. which are being reoc-
cupled by Turkish detachments Trczi-
bond probably soon will fall Into Tur-
kish hands
at Is important to record that large
contiugonts OF Arabs nre Joining the
forces OF the shcik Of Mecca. who is
90 operating with the British.
",Tho Arabs have defeated the Turks
In two encounters, occupied El Maxeh.
southeast Of tho Dead sea. and are ad-
vancing along the Hadjax railway to-
ward Maan."