Gilpin observer., 1918-03-28
BRITISH, FRENCH AND AMERl-
CANS UNITE TO HOLD LINE
AT ROVE AND NoYoN.
CRUCIAL BATTLE is ON
ALL AVAILABLE MEN OF GERMAN
ARMY BEING THROWN INTO
MIGHTY FFENsIvE.
Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
London, March 27-The battle con-
tinues on the whole front south of the
ported from the war zone in France.
The Germans have also launched new
attacks around Chaulnes
1t is officially reported that seventy
German divisions have taken Fart in
the fighting and that troops have
been moved from every part of the
western battle front to reinforce the
armies which have been forcing the
British to fall back. Observers at the
front say that German losses have
been frightful, estimated at 100000 in
the six-day drive, and that the enemy
has lost from 10 to 20 per cent of his
men, by the most conservative esti-
mates.
Paris, March 27.-The French troops
cooperating with the British south of
ST. Quentin have taken up strong posi-
tions on the left bank of the Disc,
above Noyon, where they are holding
the Germans, according to the war Of
flee announcement The text of the
statement reads: "Our troops are
holding solidly to their positions on
the left bank of the Oise before No
yon. The fighting continues with un-
diminished violence along the front
comprising Braye-Sur-Somm Chaul-
nes, Roye and Noyon."
After six days of terrific fight
inS, the German offensive in
France is beginning to show signs OF
losing its momentum. The progress
of the enemy has materially slackened
and the form of the dent made in the
allied line west of Cambria has begun
to resemble the familiar wedge-like
salient instead of the broad.
straight forward movement of an Of
fensive which carries all before 1t.
At its apex this wedge has gone be-
yond Albert to the south of that place
and is to the westward of the old al
lied line as it stood year ago when
Won Hindenburg began his strategic
retreat" From this point the line
runs off to the northeast at a gentle
ming back until 1t reaches the Disc
river.
In spite of the tremendous exertions
and terrible losses, the German efforts
to widen the tip Of this salient were
defeated on Tuesday. The British lines
have stood firm to the north and have
forced the Germant to turn soutnward
to the point Of least resistance.
Official statements issued at Lon
don confirm the report from Berlin
that American forces are engaged in
the struggle. They are reported as
fighting shoulder to shoulder" with
the French and British in the region
Of Roye, on the south side Of the sal
lent driven into the allied front
British airmen continue to give
strong help. 20 the infantry and artil-
lery, and the latest statement reports
that they accounted for sixty-seven
enemy machines, forty-five of which
were shot down. The British loss was
ten. Entente aviators also have
b mbed Cologne and railway stations
behind the battle line, as well as aer-
odromes and billets.
With the slackening OF the German
pace there are indications that the al
lies are ready to strike back some
where along the front. Just where this
blow will be launched will not be
known until it is struck, but It may be
expected that its impact will be ter
rifle