The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-03-29
LITTLE CHANGE W LINE
DESPITE FIERCE FIGHTING
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUMMARY OF WAR


The southwsster,y thrust of the
has been stopped short at Montdidisr.
The enemy seems definitely held
there, 81 miles from Paris, by the en-
closure Of the town within a pocket
formed by o series Of villages vali-
antly captured and held by French
troops, Despite continuous counter
attacks last night the Germans were
not able to dislodus Petain's men
from the hamiets on the hills about
the town.
Between Montdidisr and the so1ms
the Germans seem to have obtained
some ground since yesterday In their
westward push toward Amisns, the
greet allied supply base, but Paris
declares the Anglo French forces are
holding the enemy firmly along q we'll
defined line which at no point is less
than twelve miles from this obiee-
tive
The German purpose, now that the
thrust 20 the southwest has been
checked, apparently 10 to close in
within the angle formed by the rivsra
AVre and Semme, with its point at
Amlens. IL 10 in this triangle, there
fore, that further fighting Of the most
intensive nature is TO be looked for
W NRt6 lEuHrhuAMNa TUkuFHs
The Germans continue to sacrifice
their men recklessly IN their despsr-
ate attempts 20 break the Anglo
French barrier, as the reports from
both the French and the British WAS
offices testify.
BRiTisH ADVANCE.
North of the Somms the British
front has not only been stiffly main.
tanned but has been advanced In
places. Today's statement from the
London war office emphasizes the
success of the British in foiIinu the
German effort TO embarrass the allied
defense by establishing movable line
in the Arras region through a great
assault The German reserves, thrown
in after the penetration of the out
post lines, were erumpled Up in the
battle zone by the devastating fire aof
Field Marshal Haia'a artillery and
machine guns and thrown back with
great losses. Ek
General Pershina has pIaoed the
entire resources of the American
army in France at the disposal of the
French staff. for use in the world bat
tie now IN pFopresss according 70 rec
ports from Paris. This offer the
adVices state, was made TO General
Foehs the great military strateaiSt
and chief Of the war ministry staff,
who has been reported az likely TO be
placed in supreme command of all
the armies on the western front.
The sattls from the Soarpe and
oise riEers has entered into q new
phase. Repulsed in their efforts 10
break through in the center, the Ger
mans have turned their attention 70
the wings of the salient in the allied
1fnmm hamRgg EmL&S~m
along most of the fifty-five mile
front. -
On the northern flank which has
been extended slightly across the
Searpe, Field Marshal Haiu has re-
pulsed attack after attack and has
held most Of his positions intact. On
the south the German gains around
Montdidisr have been Offset by
French offensive movement south Of
Noyon and the repuIss Of heavy an
emy attacks along the Disc.
The French movement in the south
may be the beginning of a huge
counter offensive. The wings Of the
German salient were ts weak points
and when the allied troops checked
the onrush and held il 60 small gains
at great cost, as they have done for
two days, the enemy had 20 change
his tactics.
The German attack against Arras,
strongly held by the British IN the
north, continues in strength with the
British withstandins the enemy ef-
forts ualIantiy.
French troops since their entrance
into the battle last Saturday have
made q courageous defense but none
was more so than that Of Montdidisr.
Driven from the town and some
distance westward by overwhelming
the French counter attack
ed and captured and held three towns
west of Montdidier.
Another French force pushed the
German line south Of Npyon back
along a front Of six miles for a dis
tanee OF more than one mile. This
main nenacss the southern leg Of the
salient and the German gains around
where the enemy has
driven a small and preoarious wedge.
East Of Noyon the enemy Is at
tempting TO force q passage Of the
Disc. General Pertains defense,
however, has been too strong and
he Germans have been thrown back
With heavy losses. American troops
we're reported on this sector early
n the week.
London newspapers hint at q joint |
franco British command on the
western front. it Ii declared that
General Foch, commander OF the al
led reserve army, will be given an
important role under the new ar.
on the other battle fronts there
las been no change.