Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-27
BRITISH FORCES
TURN PRUSS|ANS
TOWARD THE SOUTH
Progress of Enemy Materi-
ally Slackened After Six
Days of Fighting.
AMERICAN TROOPS FIGHT
WITH THE ALLIED ARMIES
Now Preparing to Strike Deadly
Blow to Foe at Oppor-
tune Moment.
GERMAN LOSSES FRlGHTFUL
Observers at the Battle Front Claim
20 Per Cent OF Army Has
Been Lost.
AMERICAN TROOPS FIGHT
WITH THE ALLIED ARMIES
LOSSES FRlGHTFUL
nv Associated Press.

Bv Associated Press.1
Alter Sin days Of terrific fighting, the
German offensive in France is begin
ning TO show signs of losing it's mo-
'nentum. The progress of the enemy
las materially slacliened. and the form
OF the dent made in the allied line west
OF cambrai has begun to resemble the
familiar wedge of an offensive which
carries all before It,
AT its apex this wedge has gone be-
ycnd Albert to the south OF that place,
and is to the westward of the old allied
line rs il stood a year ago when Won
iindenburg began his strategic re-
treat. From this point the line runs
on TO the northeast at gentle angle,
with the line to the south running back
until II reaches the Disc River.
In spite OF tremendous exertions ana
terrible losses, the German efforts to
widen the tip of this salient were de-
fcatcd on Tuesday. The British lines
have stood firm to the north and have
forced the Germans to turn southward
to the point of least resistance.
Official statements issued at London
confirm the report from Berlin that
American forces arc engaged in tho
struggle They are reported as light
ing shoulder TO shoulder with the
French aud British in the region OF
toye. on the southern side of tho salt
cnt driven Into tho allied front. There
las been no official report sent to Wash
ington as to the identity of these troops
who arc taking part in this greatest
battle In history.
ALLIES GETTING READY
TO STRIKE TELLING BLOW
With the slackcning or the German
pace there come Indications that tho
allies are ready to strike back some
where along the front. Just where TINS
blow will be launched Will not he
known until il is struck. hut it may bu
expected that its impact will be tcr-
rifle. II is known that tho allied war
council at Versailles created 4 great
strategic reserve OF men TO be used
in just the contingency which confronts
the armies which have borne the brurL
Of tho lighting since last Thursda:
morning.
This force probably will be launched
when and where II is believed it VIII
break the force OF the German on
slauGht and send the enemy rcelinp
back over the desert from which the
British have slowly withdrawn Eaca
succeeding day reveals the plans OF tho
lines west of Cambrai, :. terrain whica
could not be defended by Won linden,
burg year ago. Each official rcpoiiS
shows that this sector is valuclcss
from military standpoint. and thai
the Germans have paid a terrible price
Tor their advance to the lines cs;ab-
!ishcd by tho allies during the FIRST
TWO years of warfare 1t is ofIicially.
reported that seventy German di-
visions, or $4,000 men. have taken
part in the lighting. and that trooDs
nave been moved from every part OF
the western battle front TO re enforce
the armies which have been forcing
the E'ritish to fall back. Observers ut
the front say that the German losses
have been frightful and tina, tho
enemy has lost from 10 10 - per ccur
OF his men, by the most conservative
estimates.
ARTILLERY UNABLE TO KEEP
U WITH GERMAN INFANTRY
The situation as 1t stands seems to
pc repetition of the dash of Cicncrai
Won kiuch Oh Paris in 1914 when t,,e
German artillery and transport could
not keep up with the infantry. and tho
French were able to turn back the i'm
vadcrs at the Marnc. Reports from
various sectors in the last two davS,
have indicated that the German infan-
Try. relying on its mass attacks has
fought without the customary assist
ancc or artillery. To bring UP heavy
gums requires time. and the German
advance viii steadily become moro
painful and costly
While tho German line OF communi
cations has been growing longer. the
Eritish have constantly moved nearcr
their base OF supplies. II is probable
mat the line where stern battle viii
be given is not far away from the
present position of the allied armies.
There has been continued activity on
the Italian front. but no attacks or
Importance have been made by eithe-
side in this theater OF the war The
american lines In the Lunevillc and
Toul sectors have been bombardcd once
more. but no infantry lighting Is re-
ported there. North OF the Sonme
battle field there have been no en-
gnScments of Significance. The Brit
ish troops In Palestine have captured
the village OF Es-sait. In tho hills to