The Sentinel=record., 1918-07-18

With the French Forces in France, July 17.--When the German artillery preparations started on the night of the l4th the flashes from thousands of guns were so vivid that they lighted up the streets of Chalos nearly 20 miles from the front. The French re- piled wiJh an equal powerful fire and everything for many miles trembled until dawn when the German infantry came over
 The advancing waves were of great density, giving the rundreds of French 75's point blank target.
 At the same time small centers of resistance composed of French ad- vanced posts opened fire with machine guns which did terrific execution.
 This isolated detachment held up the enemy masses for several hours. giy- ing time for their comrades guarding the line of resistance to organize and bring into play all of their means Of defense Then they retired slowly at times being compelled to fight strong bodies of the enemy who had sue- ceeded in passing their positions.
 Lieutenant Tranchard with 25 men was caught between the French and German barrages and remained fight
 ing half the day. He then cut his way through the enemy's lines at the point of the bayonet and received the legion of honor on the field
 The perfect execution of General Gouraud's defense plans prevented the enemy from making u breach at any point on this sector. although dlr- ing 24 hours the German crown prince sent three necessarily renewed waves of his best troops in the determination to get through the ChalOns.
 General Gouraud, the hero of the Dai danellos. was the French cOmman- der who barred the advance Of tho German crown prince in the Cham piegne. It was he who, to the east ot Rheims. in one day brought the host of Germans to slandstill This was done with only comparatively insie- nflcant losses among his own men in consequence of his admirable defens i've preparations
 About twenty enemy divisions have been identified in the first line ct this sector of the front alone. By the end of the first day of fighting half of these divisions had been badly mauled The precaution the French had taken before the Teuton offensive began was such that the Germans were unable to capture single pr's-- oner in the Champeene during the several days preceding the attack. The Germans thus were deprived of the possibility Of obtaining information re- garding the French plans
 With the French Forces in France, July It. CEveningl-Th Germans today are throwing their utmost et- forts northwarl of he Marne in the direction of tManeuil LaFosse, which fell momeutarfly into their hands, but shortly afterwards was retaken by the French in brilliant counter attack
 The situation is generally regarded as excellent for the allies, who, ln- stead of having to meet an offensive on grand scale now are being forced to ward off only local attacks. South of the Marne numerous Ger man attacks were repulsed while tAe allies in counter at acfs regained some ground north of St. Agnan.
 Among the allied soldiers the reel ing prevails that they have gained the ascendency over the enemy and they go forward with the greatest confi- dence when ordered to carry out coun- ter attacks, even when their numbers are considerably smaller than those of Ithe enemy.