New-York tribune., 1918-05-30
Foe Forced to Pay
Heavily for Gains
Vast Array of Tanks
Men and Guns Over
whelrns Thin Line
of Defenders
(By The Associnted Pressl

WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN
FRANCE, May 29.-The Germans
advanced against the French lines
again to-day after throwing further
masses of troops into the battle.
Both f1anks of the battle line were
the scene of very heavy fighting by
inferior numbers against superior,
with the result that the Allies were
obliged again to cede ground at sew
eral points.
Besides Won Boehm's and Won Be-
lows armies, many divisions of Won
Hutier's troops were engaged. These
specially trained units had partici-
pated in the first rush .on March 81
and had since then been reconsti-
tuted.
An enormous number Of light
machine guns were employed by the
Germans as well as a large fleet of
tanks and much heavy and light ar
tillery, while the German aviators
we're extremely active.
Officers Sacrifice Live
From the plain toward Juvincourt,
Ville-auBois, Pontavert and Berry
au-Bac, numerous tanks came into ac-
tion. For considerable time the thin
allied line held out, but as the enemy
debouched, wave after wave, the
French and British, almost submerged
fell back slowly, getting across the
river. Several British officers after
ward sacrificed their lives in destroy
ing the bridges.
Almost simultaneously overpowering
enemy forces made their way to the
top of the Chemin des Danes ridge
and also to the western end of this
road, in the neighborhood of Chavig-
non and Malmaison, and the troops
holding these points were obliged to
recede.
The allied movement to the rear
was executed with the greatest pre-
cision. There was no disorder and all
the units kept in constant liasion.
Readjustmcnt of Line Necessary
Further east other British divisions,
amalgamated with French colonial
troops, held fast. They are still firmly
sticking to their positions, although
they have been compelled to rearrange
part of their front in order to keep
alignment with their retiring COM
rades.
In the direction of Scissors read
justment Of the front line also became
necessary, in consequence of the fall
ing back of the centre, where the Ger
mans were pushing hardest
The fighting has been continuous for
two days through country composed
of a series of chalky plateaus, with
winding valleys, whose slopes are half
clothed with trees and contain many
caverns. Along the top of one of the
principal ridges runs the famous
Chemin des DANES, from which valleys
spread angularly toward the Aisne.
The Allied possession of this ridge
compromised the security of the Ger
man southern flank.
The encmy's torrent of divisions,
rolling forward. found only the thinnest
line of Allied troops facing the advance
These fell back before the irresistible
pressure. retiring, but struggling vail
antly. The torrent as it moved for
ward became even stronger, for the
Germans added new forces to it, Even
the Aisne did not stay its rush.
Follow Allies Across River
The Germans followed the Allies
across the river ard at the same time
spread along the sides, the Allies hav-
ing decided that it was useless to sac
rifice men in efforts to hold these po-
sitions with too few defenders.
The southern slopes of the Aisne Val |
ley offered good ground to the Allies to
stand, had they been in sufficient force. |
But the Germans were in immensely
superior numbers, and the Allied COM
chose to retire to the plateau
beyond, and thus give an opportunity
for the reserves to concentrate 1t is !
probable before the advancing German |
torrent weakens that further territory
will fall into the hands of the enemy. |
That, however, in the opinion of French |
officers, will not affect .he strength Of !
the Allied forces. which retain their
striking power for the future.
The French and British kept in the !
closest touch throughout the battle,
working together as a single unit. |
The spirit of comradesh,p was touch
ing. Both in the ranks and along the |
roads wounded men of both nations, |
when able to walk. were helping each |
other toward the dressing stations.
while all the soldiers unfortunately |
gave aid when possible to the civilian !
refugeeA