The state herald., 1918-04-05


London. April 2.-The immediate
objective Of the Germans in their At
tacks below the Somms undoubtedly
ID the Paris-Amiens railway, which
runs close to the battle line. While
continuing to push energetically
against the defending wall which
checks them In their drive toward the
strategically important town of Ami.
ems. they are concentrating troops In
hordes at Albert. opposite the British
front. The additional fact that they
are endeavoring to rush siege guns to
Albert indicates the impending blow
is not far distant.
Gen. Foch. the new allied command
sr-in.chief, has stated that Amiens 10
covered and that he is prepared to
guarantee It.
Great masses Of enemy troops CON
tinue to concentrate in the region Of
Albert. according to the Reuter- cor
respondent at British headquarters.
Fighting Is in progress toward Villers-
Bretonneux. to the north of Hangard.
Up to 8 o'clock Monday afternoon.
says the correspondent, NO further in
fantry attacks of importance were re-
ported against the British front. al
though the enemy artillery was very
active and Arras was being heavily
shelled.
With the French Army in France.
April "A daring attempt by the Ger.
mans to cross tho Oise and form
bridgehead permitting future advances
was easily frustrated by the French.
One Of the famous storm battalions
succeeded in getting over near Chauny
but never returned. 1t was almost en-
tireley annihilated. There remained
only about 100 unwounded men. whom
the French took prisoner.
Nearly all the bridges crossing the
Oise have been destroyed. and the
French hold strong positions on the
southern bank, while all fords are COW
cred by artillery.
At Plemont two German divisions.
which had received strict orders to ex-
ecute an advance whatever the cost,
and capture a height. found them
selves confronted with u French divi-
sion which would not give way before
the fury Of the German attack. For .
moment the French were forced back.
but took breath and came at the en-
emy again with such rush that the
Germans were driven from the height.
leaving 700 prisoners. including twenty
officers. In the hands Of the French.
The French lines further south have
stood firm against savage assaults.
especially In the region Of Montdidier
and eastward Of that place along q
part OF the line which was subjected
to a terrific strain for two days late
last week.
Rain is delaying the German I'd.
vance along the French and British
fronts. Wet weather. n continued.
would be OF infinite value to the allies,
who are moving their old forces and
supplies over solid earth instead OF
ground which has been churned into
a condition where every step is besst
by difficulties.
The chief German efforts apparently
have been In the region OF Moreuil and
Albert. Around these places there has
been stern fighting with the Germans
hurllng their fighting men at the allied
lines In serried ranks. which have
been moved down by artillery. ma
chine gun and rifle fire The effort In
the Moreuil region Is considered as be-
Ing an attempt to reach the Paris
Amicns railroad. which Is four or five
miles distant.
There have been American troops
involved In the struggle In Picardy.
since the morning OF March 20. but
General Pcrshing now is leading more
than 100000 OF his men. but Just how
many Ii as yet not known. to point
assigned To them by General Foch. the
leader Of the allied forces In France.