The sun., 1918-07-28
FOURTH YEAR OF GREAT VAR one OF MONENTOUS EVEN
Russia's Collapse, l9l7Defe Of Italy
and Great Spring Offensives Of
Teutons Most Dangerous

eight miles. At the Marine they were
checked and the impetus of the blow
was broken.
with hardly days pause for re-
organization. the Germans again at
tackled, choosing the sector between
Montdidier and Noyon, on the south
ern side of the salient driven into the
allied line during the March offensive.
This offensive ran for five days ana
was stopped north of Compiegne after
losses described as unprecedented
had been inflicted upon the Germans.
From June ii until July Is the Ger
mans were engaged in shifting their
forces and then they again struck
This time the line of attack was from
Chateau Thierry eastward, around to
the north of Rheims and then down
the Nesle River to Frunay and from
that village eastward to Massiges.
This attack at the close of the year
developed into one of the most ambl-
tious OF the German strokes.
German forces crossed the Marine
over a wide front but were unable
to make ground against American
troops near Chateau Thierry and
Their east They did, however, forge
ahead on the north side Of the Marine
and between that stream and the
mountain of Rheims. 1t appeared for
"A time that they might reach Epernay.
Then Gen. Foch struck a counter
blow, which is still in progress. Amer
lean and French troops attacked the
Germans between Fontenoy, on the
Aisne west Of Scissors, and Belleau,
on the Ciignon northwest of Chateau
Therry. So sudden and powerful was
the blow that the Germans fell back
rapidly until their reserves could be
hurried up.
The rapid advance OF the Allies,
however so menaced the German
forces further south that on July ~
the enemy began a retreat across the
Marine. On Sunday, July 81, French
and Americans entered Chateau
Thierry and pressed on after the re-
firing Germans.
Since that time the Allies have
gained slowly but steadily, not only
south of Scissors but also north of
the Marine and between that river
and Rheims. There are indications
tnat d herman Ttlledl llOill llic so
lent is now under way.
On June Is the Austrians began a
drive against Italy. 1t was a failure
The Austrians crossed the Piave, but
| on the west bank met with such stub
born resistance that progress was inn
possible. Slowly the Austrians were
driven back toward the river, and then
the Piave, swollen by rains in the
mountains, completed the overthrow OF
Austria's hopes. After suffering terri
BILE losses the Austrians retreated &c
the eastern bank Of the Piave from the
Montello plateau to the Adriatic.
Minor Operations of the Year.
Among the years operations of COM
: paratively lesser Importance were the
British drives in Palestine and Meso-
potamia. the Turkish advance in the
Caucasus, the French and .Italian Of
fensive in Albania and the fighting in
the German African colonies.
Jerusalem was captured by the Brit
ish on December 10 and shortly after
ward the fall of Jericho was an
nounced. Since the taking, of jericho
the British forces in Palestine have
not been active.
Gen. Maude led the British troops
into Bagdad on March II and shortly
afterward died from cholera. His
forces pushed further up the Tigris
until the intense heat of summer ter
minated operations.
The Turks after the collapse OF Rus
STA took advantage of the demoralizeC
condition of the Russian forces to ad
vance through the Caucasus and OBJ
tain possession of the regions subse
ouently ceded them by the treaty O.
Brest-Litovsk.
The French and italian drive in AL
bania began on July 6 and is still il
progress.
During the year British forces il
Africa drove German forces befor,
them in German East Africa and il
German Southwest Africa and FINAL!
compelled them to dispense or surren
der. This took from Germany the las
OF the vast colonial possessions he'll
by her when the war began.
The year has been marked by
gradual decline OF submarine sinking