The Raymer enterprise., 1918-08-15
British and French Begin New
Offensive Between Albert
and Montdidier.
aAIe DIRECTS THE DRIVE
AIIles Force Crossing Of the vesie Riv.
er In Face Of Strong Resistance
Plans for Siberian Expedition
March States American
Army Program.
BY EDWARD W. PicKARp.

Having thoroughly whipped the
armies Of the German crown prince
and driven them back beyond the
vesle river, Foch, now a marshal Of
France, turned his attention In the
middle Of the week to the forces un-
der the Bayarian crown prince, Rup-
precht. At dawn on Thursday the Brit
ish Fourth army and the French First
army, under command Of Field Mar
shal Haig, began an offensive on a
wide front In the region east and south
east of Amiens. The front under at
tack was about twenty-elght miles In
length, from Albert south to the vlcin-
ity Of Montdidier.
Within "a hours the allied forces had
penetrated the enemy lines to points
from six to seven miles beyond the start,
had taken more than 10000 prisoners
and great quantities Of material and
many guns. and had occupied numerous
towns. Their own losses were remark
ably light. Tanks led the infantry in
the attack and did wonderfully good
work.
Complete success In this offensive
would result in obliterating the Ger
man salient in the Montdidier region
and would imperil the entire Hun line
from Reims to Ypres. The Germans
seem to have anticipated this move
ment by the allies and some days prev
lously withdrew their forces there and
In other sectors to stronger positions.
Progress by the allies here carries
them into the Picardy country which
was rayaged by the Germans In their
retreat Of March. 1917. and again de-
vastated by them when they drove for
ward this year.
The defeated hut not disorganlzed
Huns between Scissors and Reims. as
was predicted, gathered their strength
for a pause In their retreat between
the vesle and the Aisne. Their guns
were brought into play from the plat.
eau In that region which commands
the vesle valley. The Germans. in
deed, made strenuous attempts to pre-
vent the French and Americans from
crossing the vesle. especially In the
vicinity of Fismes. but numerous rela-
lively small units forced the crossings
and held onto their new positions de-
spite furious counter-attacks. These
operations were mostly between
Braisne and Flsmes. Up to the close
of the week Marshal Foch had not
tried to send sny very large forces
across the river probably waiting un-
III his ARTILLERY could drive the Huns
from the nearer hills to the north.
The Germans were using only medium
caliber guns. which was taken to m-.n
that their heavier artillery was being
placed north of the Alsne to defend
that line; for there seemed little doubt
that they would be forced that far
north before very long. Their position
south Of the Aisne was said to be real
ly untenable though seemingly strong.
At the west end Of the line the French
and Americans were steadily pushing
east along the Aisne, and at the east
end Immediately north Of Reims the
French made considerable advance be-
tween the railways running to Laon
and Rethel.
The city Of Fismes, which was so
calamity taken by the Americans, was
as CALAMITY held against all attacks,
though the Germans deluged It with
explosive and gas shells. The machine
gun and rife fire Of the Yankees was
SO accurate as to arouse the admira-
ton of their allies.
-
Activity increased during the week
In the Lys salient which the Germans