Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-07-17
Suffer Terrific Losses.

Paris, July II. Terrific losses
marked the fifth German offensive on
the MarneChampagne 'front.' which be-
gan Monday morning. Before noon on
Monday four German divisions that at
tackled the French, American and Ital-
ian lines between Chateau Thierry and
the Argonne forest had been cut up
and one was completely annihilated
The all-day battle In which Americans
gained distinction by throwing the
Germans out of Vaux and by hurting
the Germans back across the Marine
river, was followed by violent artil-
lery duels. All night long many resi-
dents of Paris remained upon the roof
tops listening to the thunder of the
great guns fifty miles away and watch
ing the lightning-like flashes in the sky.
Huns Driven Back.
Americans are fighting with the
French in Champagne as well as on
the Marne river United States troops
helped the French meet the shock OF
Ae German attacks in the sector OF
Prunay and at Marquisse farm, east
Of Reims.
The Americans went into the battle
as re-enforcements when the weight Of
the German attack bent back the
French line Slightly. A counter attack
by the Americans helped to stabilize
the situation. Desperate fighting has
continued there.
The southern bank Of 1.-The Marine
between Fossoy and Jauglonne has
been cleared of Germans. The resist
ances Of the German elements holding
the railway embankment and yards on
the southern side of the stream was
broken when airplanes and artillery
destroyed the Germans bridges. . The
American attacks continued all night.
Many Germans were killed and more
than 1900 prisoners. many machine
guns and trench mOrtars were cap
tured.
With the American Army on the
Marine, July 17.-Word received from
the battle front east Of ReimS shows
that the allied defensive is not only
still holding up the German attempts
to advance but appears to have broken
the enemys spirit. At one point OF the
offensive where the American troops
are fighting they organized small
yesterday on the flank
of Il salient established by the Ger
mans and drove them out in short or
der. The Americans have recaptured
FossOy and CreZancy, which were
taken by the Germans when they
first crossed the Marine.
The American troops in this section
occupied intermediate positions in the
rear of the first line. The Germans
were allowed to come through, but
when they tried the cross the opera
don field Qp slight grade the Ameri-
can machine gunners and infantry, oc-
cupying excellent positions, moved
down the advancing ranks, the enemy
breaking and retiring in many places.
The battle continues violently espe-
cially south of the Marine and in the
region Of Chatillon. Except for one
sector south of the Marine there is no
change In the situation. American and
French troops are cOunter-attacking
and are taking many
prisoners, according to the statement
issued by the war Office today.
South of the Marine the Germans
have not been able to advance their
line beyond st. Agnan, La Chapelle,
MonthOdan, Lisieres and south of the
forest Of Bouquigny. The French in
this region have taken thousand pris-
oners.
On the front east of ReimS, in spite
of terrific fighting during the last day
and night the enemy has not been able
to penetrate the French zone of de-
Tense.
The German loss in prisoners dur
ing the first day of the battle was ex-
tremely heavy.
The text of the statement read:
''The battle continues with redouled
violence. Between Chateau-Thierry
and Reilns the enemy is launching fu'
rious attacks. The cOmbats are par
ticularly violent south Of the Marine
and in the region of ChatillOn.
"French and American troops are at
lacking many times with the utmost
vigor.
Held South Of Marine.
"SOuth of the Marine the Germans
have not been able to advance their
lines beyond st. Agnan, La Chapelle,
MonthodOn, Lisieres and south of the
forest of Bouquigny. In this region
the French have taken 1000 prisoners.
MarueiI-Le-Port, on the Marine, south
Of Chaillon, is held by the French.
"NOrth of the Marine the French