Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-07-15
TERRIFIC GUN FIRE STARTED
LAST NIGHT BEFORE BIG DRIVE
Huns Bridge Marne And Succeed in
Crossing With Difficulty at Some
Points--Positions of British I'm
proved in Region of Amiens
(By the Associated Press. J

After wait of thirty days since they halted
in their plunge toward Compiegne, along the west
bank of the Oise the Germans at dawn today launched
a new phase of their mighty offensive by attacking
from Chateau -Thierry to Mason de Champagne,
north of Massges and far eastof Rheims over front
about IS miles in length.
Latest reports from the battlefield state that the
Germans have crossed the Marne at several places
This probably refers to the reaches of the Marine be-
tween Chateau -Thierry and Dormans.
American troops engaged in the battle in this
particular region and reports say they are Handling
the enemy we'll" They broke up the German drive in
the Vaux region west Of Chateau Thierry by dashing
counter-attacks.
Reports show that so far as the length Of line is
concerned the present drive is the greatest of the year.
At first it believed from the French war office
statement that the line about so miles in extent
but apparently the report from Paris told simply of
the length of the Frenchhed lines under attack Meas
ureents of the line where fighting is known to be go
ing on, however, show that it is los kilometres or 651
miles long. The attack against the Cambria front on
March 21 was front of IS miles
Last night terrible artillery fire was loosed
against the allied lines from Chateau Therry the
west, to Maison de Champagne north of Massiges on
the east.
For hours the entente allied lines were under a.
tempest OF the most tremendous character Not only
was the actual battle area under bornbardment but
towns and cities far behind the lines made targets
for great ten and twelve inch proectles from what
appears to be naval siege guns brought up behind
German positions.
During the last few weeks 1t has been rlrnOrGd@
that the resumption of the German offensive would
witness long range bo1nbardment Of places which
would heretofore be considered at safe distance from
the front. SS8s
The lay world had expected the German main sef. !
fort be loosed against the line from the Marne to
the Aisne north of Chateau Therry; in the Pcardy
sector, towards Abbeville further north in the
sector, against the channel ports. Along this line
allies have been daily improving their lines and p
pairing for the new drive. nsN MnsM@S
But the Germans chose sector which, except fs5
quiet since the offensive launched on the Aisne
81 came to standstiu. East Of Rheims and NORTH M
Chalons there has been but little fighting Of sign&
canoe for a long time.
This line, Of which Rheims may be considered Nfs
keystone, chosen for the reason that informal
might have been received by the Germans that it
less strongly held than sectors along the front nea
Paris Thus it might be reasonable to expect thu
greater territory could be over-run there at srra
expense Of and materials than the lines wtsS
the allies are known to Be very strong.
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