The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-29
Halg'S Men ViCtOrs in AII-Day
Battle South of the
SCarpe.
FRENCH WIN ON WIDE FRONT
Petain's Troops Advance to Depth of
Over Mile on Sx-Mie Front From
Lassigny to Noyon-100,000
Americans Ready to Enter
Confiict-Germans Take
Montdider.

Montdi dier.
London, March 29.-After an all-day
battle north and south of the Scarpe,
with Arras as the chief center, the
British forces have beaten off the Ger
mans, with heavy losses to the enemy,
according to the report from Field
Marshal Haig.
French Hurl Foe Back.
Paris, March 29.-On the front from
Lassigny to Noyon our troops have ad-
vanced over a line about ten kilome-
ters (Slightly over six miles) long to
a depth of two kilometers Zone and
one-fifth miles), says the war office
statement issued. The repulse of the
Germans in villages further west also
is announced.
Continuing to attack with strong
forces in the region of MOntdidier dur
Ing the whole morning, the enemy at
tempted to enlarge his gains west and
south of this town, but with magnifi-
cent elan the French counter-attacked
with the bayOnet and drove the Ger
mans out of the villages of Courte-
manche, Mesnil-St Georges and AS
safnvillers, which the French have
occupied and hold solidly On the left
bank of the Disc savage attacks by
the enemy have given him no advan-
tage, the French holding their posi-
hons energetically.
Allies May Cut Off Foes Army.
The French counter-drive, if pushed
to success and if joined by British
''pincer" against his right flank, would
completely turn the tables on the foe
Out-Hindenburging Hindenburg, the
allies would cut off the entire German
army in the center Of the great salient
that has been thrust into the allied
lines.
The southern side of the huge
wedge between Montdidier and Noyon
is 20 miles long, so that a French
break through at Noyon would mean
tackling the Germans 20 miles in their
rear. BY administering to the foe his
own poisonous medicine of Cambrai
fame the allies, it appears, plan to
turn the Somme battlefield into the
grave of the main German army in the
pictures that field as the scene of
victory which will bring peace"
Battle Raging on 60-MiIe Front
A battle greater in scope and fury
than the Marne RACES along front Of
nearly 60 miles between Arras and
.Noyon. 1t has all the aspects of de-
ciSive combat. 1t consists of a series
of interviewer and interdependent
thanking attacks and cOunter-attacks.
Foremost in Importance is, that now
being launched by the French
Like half-opened umbrella, a huge
German wedge has been thrust into
the allied lines near the Franco-British
junction.
The head of this wedge is, north
west of Montdidier. The northern side
of this salient is about half the length
of the southern one. From Montdidier
TO Noyon it is ten miles,
New Menace Faces British
The French cOunter-blOW fell
against little more than one third
of the southern aide. Upon the fur
ther development of this counter-Of-
fensive, depends not only the success
or failure of the whole German drive,
but the fate of the entire French bat
tie line to the Swiss border as well as
the fate of Paris. But to the British,
in the meantime, a new menace has
sprung up in the form of a German
drive against Arras. Strategic evacu-
alton of Arras must be counted among
the possibilities of the next few hours.
Weather Favors Allies.
Thus, the end of the eighth day of
the Picardy battle, unless all signs are
deceiving. sees fortune slowly but
steadily switching over to the allies
side.
For the first time In week the
weather has become threatening. This
presents another formidable danger to
the Teutons, who have to bring up
their reserves, supplies and guns
across the desert of mud and ruins
which they themselves made year
ago out of sunny Ptcardy."
1000 U. S. Troops Ready.
Washington, March 29.-Not fewer
than 100000 American troops, 1t is be-
lieved by military experts here are
ready to take their place in the battle
line In France to withstand the Ger
Tlan attack or to assist in a counter
attack. General March said he had no
such information.
Huns Take Montdidier.
With the French Armies In. France,