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

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is no\appreciable change in the resi-
Of the line. All German attacks dur
ing the course Of the night failed.
French Line Intact.
"On the front east of ReimS the
fighting while Of the utmost violence
was unfruitful and the enemy during
the past day and night has not been
able to penetrate the French zone of
defense, which runs to the eastward
through Prenay. The battle positions
of the French are intact.
"The enemy losses in prisoners dur.
ing the first day of the battle have
been extremely heavy"
Violent artillery fire continued Mon
day night on the fighting front. Resi-.
dents Of Paris again heard the roal
and saw the flashes Of the guns. There
was dim Pickering in the sky re-
sembling summer lightning, varied now
and then by red flash reflected from
low clouds.
The reports of the guns were more
faint than Sunday night and Monday
and were felt rather than heard. An
intermittent dull muttering, punctuat-
ed by occasional heavier thuds from
the French heavies kept up during the
night.
Houses in the suburbs were shaken
slightly, but in some places the rock
ing of the earth was sufficient to dis
place pictures on the walls.
British Official Report.
LONDON, July lin an operation
conduc ted at night in the region east
of Amiens the British improved their
line, after sharp fighting, in the VII
lers Bretonneux sector, the war Office
announced
Rome, July 17.-The following COM
municatiOn was issued by the Italian
war office:
son the Asiago plateau French de-
tachments carried out two surprise at
tacks into the enemy's lines at Bertigo
and Zoccohi. Our attachments broke
into the enemy's lines north Of Monte
di val Bella. A few prisoners were
taken.
"Enemy accommodating parties have
been active between the slopes Of Sas-
so Rosso and the Bretna river.
"A new attack attempted at Cornone
was repulsed. North Of Monte Grappa
and in the MOntellO zone during the
day and night the artillery activity has
been lively
"Six hostile airplanes have been
downed.'
U. S. Men Hurl Foe Over River.
On the Front in France, July H.
It was brilliant operation in which
the American troops elected the enemy
from the positions he had gained tenn
porarily on the southern side of the
Marine The Americans counter
attacked vigorously with remarkable
dash, throwing the Germans back
across the river near Fossoy.
Earlier in the day this part Of the
line had been the scene Of the most
desperate fighting, when the Germans
started to throw pontoOns across the
stream. A few German elements ut
first succeeded in getting over in
boats, chasing the allies troops away
from the banks while the German en-
gineers began to lay the bridges. Six
Of these bridges formed a lattice work
and rapidly joined the banks on either
side. Two of the bridges were most
substantial structures and between
twenty and thirty feet in width.
French airplanes played great havoc
in the German ranks while the bridges
were under construction. One bomb
ing squadron, flying ut a height of POO
meters, dropped bombs on two Of these
bridges while enemy troops were
crossing. The bridges were broken
and the soldiers thrown in the river.
The avators constantly bombed
other bridges and did great execution
among the Germans on them, as well
as on the banks where the enemy was
concentrated in great masses.
When the Germans had crossed the
llNCl tliV ISiililiS, NiiN'i '''iNt''S W 40
heavy, became terrific. The French
and Americans holding the southern
side, fell back onto their principal COM
bat positions. They fought all the way
and countcr-atta clled from time to
time, creating confusion In the ranks
of the advancing foe.
Then. late in the evening, the Amer
leans started dnShing counterblOw,
which resulted in the Germans retiring
Dellmell to the river.
Press Reports Confirmed.
Washington, July 17.-Press ac-
counts of the fighting on the west front
were confirmed in dispatches received
from General Pershing and General
Bliss, the war department announced.
American troops, these dispatches
state. cOunter-attacked, captured priS-
Oners, established and are holding their
advanced positions. The American
barrage in many places prevented the