Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-27
GERMAN EFFORTS TO WIDEN TIP OF
SALIENT FAIL WITH TERRIBLE LOSSES

SALlENl FAIL VII
After six days Of terrific fshtine,'
the German offensive in France is be-
ginning to show signs Of losing its
momentum. The progress Of the enc
my has materially slaokened and the
form Of the dent made in the allied
line west Of Cambria has begun to
resemble the familiar wedge like sa-
Iient, instead Of the broad, straight
forward movement of an offensive
which carries all before it.
At it's apex this wedge has gone
beyond Albert, to the south of that
place. and is to the westward of the
old allied line as it stood a year ago
when Won Hindenbure began his
"strateaic retreat" From this point
the line runs off to the northeast at
a gentle angle, with the line to the
south running back until it reaches
the Disc river.
In spite Of tremendous exertions
and terrible losses the German eff
forts to widen the tip Of this salient
were defeated on Tuesday. The Brit
ish lines have stood firm to the north
and have forced the Germans to turn
southwark toward the points of least
resistance.
Official statements issued at London
confirm the report from Berlin that
American forces are engaged in the
struggle. They are reported as
fighting shoulder to shoulder with
the French and British in the region
of Rove, on the southern side Of the
salient driven into the allied front
There has been no official report sent
70 Washington as to the identity Of
these troops who are taking part in
this greatest battle in history.
With the slaekening Of the Ger
man pace there come indications
that the Allies are ready to strike
back somewhere along the front. Just
where this blow will be launched will
not be known until it is struck, but
it may be expected that it's impact
will be terrific. 1t is known the Al.
lied War Council at Versailles ere.
ated a great strategic reserve Of mer
to be used in just the contingency
which confronts the armies whic.
have borne the brunt of the fighting
since last Thursday morning. Thi:
force will probably be launched ane
it is believed it will break the force
Of the German onslaught and SEND
the enemy reeIng back over the des
ert from which the British have
slowly withdrawn.
Each succeeding day reveals the plan
Of the Germans absolutely to crush the
allied lines west of Cambria. a terrain
which could not be defended by Won
Hindenburg a year ago Each official
report shows that this sector is value
less from a military standpoint and
that the Germans have paid terrible
price for their advance to the lines es-
tablished by the Allies curing the frs,
two years Of warfare. II is officially
reported that 20 German divisions. OF
$4,000 men, have taken part in the fight
ing and that troops have been moved
from every part of the western battle
front to reinforce the armies which
have been forcing the British to fall
back. Observers at the front saw the
German losses have been frightful and
the enemy has lost from 10 to 20 per
cent of his men by the most conserva-
tive estimates.
The situation as it stands seems ia he
repetition OF the dash of Gen. 20,
Kluck on Paris in 1914, when the Ger
man artillery and transport could not
keep up with the infantry and the
Continued on Page Scoi. 81