Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-07-29
Germans Are North Of 0urcQ
River and Fere- En- TardoniS,
Entered by French, Is at the
Mercy of the Allies.
HUNS, FIGHT BITTERLY
TO KEEP HIGH GROUND
Supplement Their Defense With
Artillery Fire Reaching Over
Yankees Front Line and
Back to the Supports.
Isr saas,As JOURNAL spsc,AI LEASED ~'ssl

With tho American Army on the
Aisne- -Marne Front, July % tby the
Associated Press, Z p. m.)-The Cor
man line is again north of the Ourcq
river and Fere- En- -TarCrenos, which
has been entered by French troops,
is at the mercy of the allies. The tight
ening of the flanks holds promise that
the retreat will continue, The line
along the greater part of the bottom
of the Soissons- Rheims salient has
been pushed forward in some places
as much as five miles. The Germans
are bringing into play their artillery
in force to check the plunges OF the
Franco-American troops. The Ameri-
cans have played a brilliant part in
the advance, which included the oc-
eupation of Sergy, on the north bank
Of the river. and number of small
villages.
The line tonight follows the Ourcq
river to Sergy and to Goussancourt
the latter place lying about six miles
north of the Marne.
Germans Offer Resistance.
The Germans offered bitter resist
ance, but not to compare with that
which began late today for the reten-
tion Of the higher ground further
north of the river. There they supple
mented their defense with artillery
fire reaching over the American front
lines to the supports, the volume of
fire at times attaining enormous pro-
portions. Unwavering the Americans
held their ground and even advanced
slightly. while the French. on. their
sectors to the right and left resisted
as steadily against the vicious efforts
of the Germans
From behind the advancing lines the
allied heavy guns kept up a continuous
bomhardment throughout the day,
shellng the German positions wher-
ever the airmen reported troop concen.
trations.
Won Boehm to Make Stand?
Heavy artillery has been used to
some extent by the Germans in their
rear guard actions, but to no such ex-
tent as today and this gives some ba-
sis for belief that Won Boehm, the
German commander, is preparing to
make a stand. 1t is pointed out that
until the Ardre river is reached all the
advantages of ground are with the al
lies. So it is generally believed that
the dropping back of his heavy guns
is merely an indication that his armies
are being withdrawn with all speed
from a position which is intolerabIe
and which unless relieved, might re-
suit in the DISCRIMINATION of what SO
far has been an admirably conducted
retreat.
The Americans began their advance
on Sergy early in the morning. They
had been driven back a short distance
Saturday night, but when they moved
10 nrY,tK 4
lery-a few pieces going forward with
the advanced line---they proceeded al
most unchecked to the river, crossed
he bridge and occupied the town
about mid-forenoon.
Yanks Meet Gas Attack,
The Germans used gas, but the at
tacking party long ago had had it's
baptism of gas fumes and knew how
to utilize the masks and to avoid the
faVlnes through which the fumes fill
tered. When the town was occupied
there was some street fighting, but not
much, the Germans retreating to
higher ground.
Untll today the wounds received nv
the American soldiers have not been
serious as rule, on account of the
Iallure or the Germans to use artiI-
a great majority of the wounds were
clean flesh wounds. made nv bullets
from machine guns and rifles.
considerable material has been can
tured. Including few locomotives
which the Germans put out of com
mission. There were relatively few
prisoners,
Many stories are told among the
old lines of the depreciation in the
German morale. Greatest significance
Is attached to letter taken from an
officer, written by his brother in Ger
many, giving il as his opinion that a
revolt was imminent unless the war
was stopped.