Evening star., 1918-02-20
0utWardIy No New Develop
ments, But Allies and Ger
mans Are Preparing,
ENEMY SHOCK TROOPS.
MASSING FOR ATTACK
Secretary Baker Reviews Operations
in All Theaters of War for Week
Ending February 16.

After extensive preparations, silently
and systematically carried on, it is ap-
parent that both the Germans and the
allies are ready for the long expected
offensive in the west, Secretary Baker
of the War Department says today, IN
his review of military operations for the
week ending February Is.
"While there have been outwardly no
new developments in the military situa-
tion in the west during the period under
review" says the Secretary's statement,
"yet it is apparent that both the enemy
and the allies, after the extensive prep
arations which have been silently and
systematically carried on, are ready for
battle. The Germans have recently
withdrawn a number of their veteran
west front units from the first line
trenches and are busily training them
in mobile warfare.
Hopes for Crushing Blow.
According to advices received. the
German general staff hopes that by
massing a large number of these picked
shock battalions, which have been in
fensively trained, they may deliver a
crushing blow.
The bulk of the German forces are
now assembled in the west But a
large number of these units are wholly
unframed in the method of western
front warfare, which differs radically
from that conducted along other
higher command realizes that their
forces will meet with far more diff
cult tactical obstacles than any hith-
erto encountered by an attacking army.
Asbreak through was possible in Rus
sia only after the morale Of the Rus
SLAMS had been undermined; the same
was true in Italy, and we witnessed
how speedily the Italian line was
sDarins the week there has been
much activity of a minor character
along the entire western front
"As has already been announced. in
Lorraine a segment Of the line is en-
tirely under the control of our forces.
Along our front patrol encounters were
numerous. The Germans undertook a
raid against our positions and succeed
ed in inflicting a few casualties. A
smaA American patrol, while scouting
in no mans land was ambushed by the
enemy.
Americans in Artillery Duels.
The weather was very rainy during
the first part of the week and our
troops were busy manning the pumps
in an effort to keep their trenches dry.
Later clear weather prevailed and hos
tile aircraft made frequent flights to
reconnoiter our positions. A marked
improvement in our anti-aircraft bar
rage is reported. Artillery duels took
place and the Germans showered our
lines with gas shells, which. however,
caused no casualties, owing to efficient
gas-mask protection.
In Champagne units of American
artillery participated in an engage
ment undertaken by French forces. The
operation was the most important of
the week in the west. After very care
ful artillery preparation, during which
our batteries co-operated usefully,
French infantry advanced to the as
sault southwest of the Butte du Mes
nil, along a front Of about 1.400 yards.
The French, succeeding in penetrating
the German positions, broke through
the second and reached the third Ger
\ man line. During this brisk attack
the French destroyed many enemy
shelters. inflicted much damage to enc