Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-07-24
AMERICAN AND ALLIED ARMIES
Strike Hard Blows---(icr1nans Forced
lmck-Villagcs Taken.


France, July 1S.--(2.00 p. M
The entire offensive operation begun
this morning on the front between
the Aisnc and the Marnc is going at
this hour for the most part even bet
ter than had been expected. The en-
emy so far has been unable to with
stand the shocks the Americans and
their allies have delivered and are
still delivering.
As the whole German left flank is
menaced the enemy must draw in
his troops from the Marne front or
risk their being caught where they
are. This means that the finishing
blow possibly has been administered
to his dying offensive.
American storm troops in large
numbers launched, in cooperation
with the French. a powerful offensive
on the line to the north Of Chateau
Thierry this morning.
Passed Beyond Objectivcs.
Tho Americans passed beyond
nearly all their objectives, including
the Paris-Soissons road.
The town Of Soissons is now we'll
within the range Of the American
guns.
American troops went over the top
with a cheer and the enemy was ta
ken completely by surprise all along
the line.
The American troops were brought
up in the night, together with their
French comrades of crack units, and
lay in their positions until o'clock
this morning. At that hour the
American and French artillery open
cd fire.
The Americans advanced behind
terrific barrage to their first object
tives in less than half an hour. While
they were digging in, more Ameri
cans, in most cases passed over the
first objectiyes and then advanced
behind the resumed barrage to the
second objectives, which were speed
lily. taken, especially at the north end
Of the attack opposite the Paris
scissors road. Numerous tanks par
ticipated in the offensive.
The American infantry went into
the attack without previous artillery
preparation. In their advance be-
hind the rolling barrage they cap
tured many guns, machine guns, pris-
oners, equipment and material.
The Germans in most places offer
cd feeble resistance, but here and
there they put up stubborn fight,
which the American shock units
quickly overcame at the point OF
the bayonet and at the muZZles Of
their weapons. The towns OF Torcy
and Givry and the Givry wood were
taken by the Americans in their ad-
vance. The final objectives in the
Givry and Torcy sector were reached
in about two hours Of hard fighting.
The troops on this part Of the front
did equally as we'll as those on the
front further north, taking quanti-
ties OF material and prisoners, who
continue streaming back.
Counter Attacks Broken Up.
Hastily organized counter attacks
against the Americans developed here
and there, but all were broken up and
our troops continued to advance.
In one town alone in the southern
part OF the front under attack the
IN,oY 4 4
guns.
Probably the most stubborn resist
ance to the allied advance developed !
In the region west of Chaudun, which |!
is 4 1s miles southwest of Soissons.
The Americans and French. fighting
side hy side, however, refused to be |
checked. The American machine |
guns moved tho enemy down and |
then our troops went on.
The fighting still continued in this
region this afternoon and seems like
ly to become heavier when the Ger
man reserves arrive.
In the region of scissors. where |
the attack was especially successful, |
the Americans carried everything be- |
fore them by storm. Early this az !
ternoon they had passed the final |
known obiectivcs From the second |
to the third objective they swept be-
hind third barragc.
The second obiectives were usually
taken by the troops OF the first units
who had dug in at the first object
ives.