The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1917-19??, 1918-08-03
BY Associated Press

By Associated IGeSSJ
After 4 short period of relative calm
bn the Soissons-R Rheims sailant, the
central and western sections of the
battlefront again having been the
scenes of mighty struggles.
On both sectors the Allied forces
have achieved notable gains of ground
which, observed on the war maps,
seemingly place the German armies in
front of them in precarious positions.
In battles extending from the re-
glon Immediately south of scissors
to the northwest of Fere-En-Tardenois
5 and southeast of the last named town
lover the upper portion Of the left
1 branch of the "V" salient running
] tenmiles eastward from Nesles to
Vile -Tardenois and with St Gem
fme as its southern base, American,
French and British troops have push
ed back the armies Of the German
crown prince.
Northwest of Fere the entire elbow
of the line where it turned eastward
along the northern bank Of Ourcq has
been blotted out, making the line
straight one from Fere to Hartennes
and giving the Allies much better
ground over which to work in FUR
ther outflankinG scissors on the
southeast Ond for pressing on toward
Fismes in conjunction with the troops
particularly the Americans, now hold
ing stragic points north and north
east of Fere.
In this fighting the allied troops
a.drove out the Germans who had been
faciously holding positions between
PPlessier Huleu and the river and took
the high ground north of Grand Rozoy
pressed on past the village of Beug-
neux and arrived before the villages
of Cramoiselle and Crafnaile The
general advance was about two miles
and 600 Germans were made prisoners
yThe most important gain, however,
Was on the upper western point OF
the "V'' southeast of Fere. Here the
village of Cierges and Meuinere wood
were taken maneuver which places
the Germans at the bottom of the "N'
at st. Gemme in seemingly precar-
ious plight for from the wood and the
village the allied guns will be able
to rake the Germans if they should
endeavor to make their way norlh-
ward, their only avenue of escape, by
an enfilading fire. Through the cap
ure of the Mouniere wood the width
of the "V" from the fringes of the
forest of Rontigny on the east, has
been cut down relatively to four
miles.
AS has been the case during the
last week, the Germans contested
stubbornly the advance of the allied
troops, but to no avail Since the
second battle of the Marne began July
Is. the allied troops have taken more
than $4,000 German prisoners.
Just what part the American troops
played in Thursdays battle has hot
vet been unfolded, but they doubt
less were in the center of the battle
front and in the thick Of the fray
Between Seringes and Ciogres, res
pectively northeast and southeast OF
Fere they are known to have made
-saodly gains over a four-mile front
and to have pushed further beyond
sergy and reached within mile and
a half of the village of Chamery.
On the British front in France and
Flanders the bad weather has ceased
and the sun is fast drying the muddy
ground. The Germans are lombard
ing heavily various positions held by
Field Marshall Haigs men who in
turn are answering the fire OF The
enemy guns and keeping up with much
success thair annoying raids into the
German lines.
According TO the claims of Vienna,
the Austrian troops in Albania have
compelled the Italians to give up a
consolidated portion OF the ground
they won in recent fighting. 1t is as
serted by the Austrian war office that
the Italians are being pursued by the
Austrians.