The Delta independent., 1918-07-19
FRENCH AND AMERICANS START
HE'LL OF THEIR OWN
By FIRED S. FERGUSON

Champagne Region, July IL, p. NJ
The Americans forces are advancing
with the French on the 2o-miIe front
between Scissors and Chateau Thi-
erry. The Americans had captured
more than a dozen towns, taken many
prisoners and had advanced nearly
two miles up to noon.
Later.-At cabling hour the Ameri-
cans had captured the following towns
west of Chateau Thierry: Villier-Hel
don. Dammard. Courchamps. Licy-
Clignon, Monthiers, Torcy, Belleau,
Givray, St. Genoulph, Hautesynes. and
other small villages, farms, heights
and woods. including Givray wood.
The advance had reached a depth
of nearly two miles within three hours
from the time the allies went "over
the top"
The American commander at Civ
ray when reporting its capture. sent
headquarters the following, Met boche
on his own line of resistance. Sharp
fight. Boche turned tail and ran like
hell. pursued by our troops. Hope
have more prisoners"
Later-Enormous numbers of huns
have been taken prisoners since the
allies began their drive. 1t is impos-
sible to even estimate how many. At
headquarters they are swamped with
messages from every point asking per-
mission to advance farther. AS it
was essential to keep the line straight
It was necessary in some instances
to order the troops to wait until the
adjoining commands had caught up.
This is the greatest pursuit of the
germans that the American boys have
yet been engaged in. American air
planes flying above the boches fought
them from above while the infantry
and machine gunners fought them on
the ground. Aerial observers dashed
through the clouds and others carried
back messages.
The attack was not only surprise,
but the concentration for the offensive
was unusually rapid. The field guns
we're loaded on trucks and rushed to
the front lines. The horses we're brot
up the same way. The german artil-
lery resistance was feeble until o.
clock, when their heavy guns opened
up. but the Americans had then ad-
vanced too far for the shells to stop
them. They effected the capture of
Torcy in Is minutes. Belleau fell at
500. and Givray a --.aiI-hour later.
The greatest American force which
has participated in single engage
ment is advancing with the French
in this offensive which was launched
at 80 this morning. The allies cap
tured IS cannon at Courchamps. At
the latest reports they are continuing
1.-The advance everywhere.
Later. 4:10 p. m.-The Americans
are still advancing everywhere along
a 20-mile front. cooperating with the
French in today's great counter often
sive. as this is cabled. The Ameri-
cans are particularly successful near
Scissors. making further decided ad-
vances. the full extent of which is not
yet known.
Final: 4:35 p m.-The Americans
and French attacking between Sol
ssons and Chateau Thierry have so
far advanced between three and four
miles, the greatest advance being in
the Aisne valley. Thousands Of ger
mans have been taken prisoner and
over twenty cannon captured.
With the American Forces in the
Champagne Region. July 1s.-The
French and American resistance east
from Chateau Thierry to the east of
Rheims are checking the german at
tempt to envelop Rheims. In the face
Of the intense fire the german dead
are piled four and five deep. <One
American colonel estimated that there
command alone.
Desperate fighting is still in pro-
gress in the region of the Conde wood,
Stagnan, La Chapelle and Monthoden,
with the French and Americans fight
ing elbow to elbow.
The huns have gained one kilometer
at Les Mesnil-Nuttier. their total pro-
gress in two days of desperate at
tempts. As an instance of the ger
man losses, one prisoner said that the
American artillery completely wiped
out one regiment before it could cross
the Marne. The famous Sixth Gren-
adler regiment is reported completely
annihilated. Three german divisions
were so demoralized that they have
not appeared in the battle since the
first day.
London, July 1S.--The latest battle
front reports indicate that the ger
mans are now concentrating their ef-
forts on the -..e front between |
Vrigny and Combligny, and are at
tempting to advance toward Epernay |
and pinch off the Rheims salient They |
are now within miles of Epernay.
Furious fighting is continuing on |