The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-04-07
MFny Massed Attacks
Aimed to Reach Amiens
Are Checked by Allies.
FOE USES 20 DIVISIONS
New Attack Between La
Fcre and NOyOn Came as
a Big Surprise.
FRENCH IN NEW POSITION
North Of MOntdidier They
Hold Back Assault by Four
Times Their Number.
FRENCH IN NEW POSITION

IONpON, .Nprlt O.--HuNinB I6icU III
their attempt 10 break through on
The battle line in Picardy between
Ayette and the Somme, front Of
about twenty miles. although they
are Known TO have used at least ten
divisions. the Germans to-day sud.
denly shifted their attack to new
part OF tho French front, east of
Noyon, and Hfter tremendous fighting
succeeded in gaining footing at
Abbecourt. on the south bank OF the
Otse, sud at Barisis, The French ~
firing 70 prepared positions.
Another attack by the Germans bs.
tween Mesnil and MOnchel. near the
tip Of the salient, failed completely.
Paris reports tonight. Numerous
German dead were lpft before the
French lines. There was also very
heavy artillery lighting on both sides
OF the Ave River. north .nf Mont.
didier.
1t was comparatively qul.,
the British front. Field Marshal Hall
reports this evening that infantry ac-
tion was confined to local attacks near
Nve!uy wood. north Of Albert. whicn
NSulted In no ehange OF position
German Losses Are Enormous.
in the fighting Yesterday the Ger
man attacks extended on the north to
beyond BucQuoy and were delivered in
strong force: the German losses were
enormous. The British by counter at.
tarks gained some ground in this dis
irict and improved their position east
or Foncqueville. They also gained
ground near Hangard. on the Luce
rivuiet. the point where the Germans
have approached nearest to Amiens
The blow at the French front east
or NOyon and south OF Chauny may
mean the beginning Of a new German
drive directly for Paris Military eS-
perts lave been predicting for some
time that when the great battle was
Resumed the main German forcs
would he eNerted at a new part OF tho
front. probably east OF Noyon That
they made only a slight gain there to-
day indicates that the French were
prepared for them: it was only after
series Of violent attacks that the
French retired to new positions pre-
pared in advance. The German night
report says that the French positions
&,J
is about four miles southwest OF La
Fere
strongly Held by French.
There was no relax xstion Friday OF tha
German Efforts to the north of Montdi-
dier Between Themes and Grivesnes a
Few French divisions faced and held back
nearly four times their uuinber OF Sc
Iected German troops. says the Asso-
ciated Press correspondent with the
French army.
Along this front OF about six miles
there naturally were some fluctuation
nnder the weight or such a strong at
tack, the main point of which was
around Rouvre', southwark of Hailles
Two villages fell into tho hands OF the
Germans, but they were not permitted
to hold Them in peace. for the French
came back IN n vigorous counter attack
which made the positions OF the enemy
critical
on both ends OF the line. AZ Themes
and GriVesnes. t!ele were the most GO.
we're encounters. in which the French
kept the barrier intact
against furious assaults. \ division of
the German Guard suffered especially
heavy losses Among the attacking
troops were seven entirely fresh d.
visions.
Enemy Literally Moved Down.
French artillery. mostly field guns.
was brought hurredly TO the scene and
battered the Germans uumerc.tully Both
artill.rymen and imfantrymen eaid tina,
never had they had better targets. They
fired at them mtil their supplies OF am
munitIou wele exhausted.
Prisoners affirm that the Germar
losses were terrible MANY compaules
We're reduced TO below fifty men Tn.
Germans, IN view Of the rapid marches
they We're expected to make, were
ordered TO carry only indispensable
articles. but each had reserve rations
for two days a'.l two water bottles
Field kitchens carrying fresh rations
ior another day followed closely. and
further behind came horse drawn wagons
with food for three days more.
Each German soldier had a map on
which was printed the dates OF the pro
posed arrival or the attacking troops
al the various objectives one OF these
points WAS Paris showing the intention
or the German command to push on
ward. But apparently the enemy did
Lot reckon on the ienarity of tht F'Tenoh
and British
The AsSo !ated Press co,respoudeut
w,th ia" n,iiis. a.nE says tur Gelmsn
infantry continued Is mas att ICks JUS
sASt Of csgs.. ~ .As Ss2ae GYs.aS t.s