Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-06-11
ENEMY ATTACKS ON
MONTD|DIER-
22-MILE LINE HELD
Advance First Day of Two and
Half Miles on Short Center
Slightly Increased After All
Night Battle

NEW YORK, June 1O.-(Summary of
European Cables to the Associated
Press -Comparatively slow progress,
attended by losses described as enor-
nous, is being made by the Germans in
their latest effort to break the allied
front in Fance. The advance against
the line from Noyon to the eastern SUI
burbs OF Montdider, coming quickly, aft
er the force of the offensive on the
Aisne had been spent, has encountered
stern resistance and it is only over a
comparatively short section of the lina
that the enemy has made appreciate
gains. The deepest penetration reported
so far is approximately two and three
quarter miles.
1t has been believed since the drive
towards Amiens stopped that General
Fosh had the greater bulk of his re-
serves in or near the area that is now
being attacked. Not only are these troops
within striking distance of the front
but there are natural obstacles which
also initiate against the entire success
of the German assault. The high hills
which now are the scene of heavy fight
ing are but outpostS OF the positions
which are prepared along the Aise river,
which bisects the field upon which the
of defense are overwhelmed.
The present assault on the line east
of Montdidier may be considered as a
complement of the offensive along the
AiSne and when the map is studied it
will be seen that the ''pincer" system
followed by Mackensen in Russia, Ser
bia and Rumania is again at work. If
the thrust just west Of Noyon sue
ceeds in gaining extensive ground 1t
will approach the line from scissors to
Chateau Thierry and retirement from
the positions taken up by the allies
there would be forced.
On the other hand if the drive gains
ground farther west it will outflank the
positions held by the French and Amer
| leans at Montdidier and compel their
adjustment, with the resultant un-
covering of Aniens.
The wings, however, seem to be hold
| ing firmly and the only gains so far
made have been in almost the center
of the line, where they are least harm
full to the security of the fronts on
either side of the new battle area.
100000 Huns in Drive
According to advices from the front
the Germans have thrown more than
200, 900 men against the line, which
measures little over twenty miles in
length. This does not equal the num-
Der hurled against the British before
Cambria on March 81, nor is it such
concentration of men to the mile as
was used at the inception of the Ger
man offensive in Flanders in April but
it is a menacing force to which may be
added at any time the full weight OF
the German reserves which are beleVed
to be massed somewhere near.
American and French troops operat-
ing northwest of Chateau Thierry re-
nnIsed German attacks last night and
made new progress
A German attempt to assault the
British positions at Aveluy wood, north
of Albert, was repulsed, while Brit
isb raid near Bethune, northwest or
Lens was successful.
On the rest of the front there Las
been no fighting of a Significant nature
Heavy Enemy Loss
Allied commanders had anticipated
that the enemy would attack on this
sector with the hope, probably, or
pushing it back and connecting up the
saIients which ended near Montdidler
and Noyon. French opinion is that the
first day was satisfactory. The French
reserves on the sector are still intact.
l. In the center the German attacking
waves reached Russons-Sur-Matz ana
Mareuil, about three miles apart mark
ing an advance of 2 ga miles. Paris re-
ports this advance as "murderous" for
the Germans. On the left wing the
most the enemy could gain was about
one-third of a mile, while on the right
he was checked after crossing the first,
or covering lines" of the French
front.
Berlin's report on the first day OF the
fighting will be delayed "a hours, as IS
customary. It's latest statement men.
ttons the capture Of the heights OF
Curry immediately behind the nrst
French line and north Of Mareu1l.
Tho Germans. in attempting to push
hack -ha allied line between Montdidier
and Noyon. face not only strong nat
Trs.I obstacles in the form of large lot
ests on high Elevations, but also oe
ternined French resistance. EVloehIiy
the Germans are striving for CompelSho
on the road to Paris, If the right Wins
n-iyes way, or for Amiens and the sep
or.tjon Of the French and British main
armies if the left flank can be thrus>
backward far enough.
The heavy preliminary bombaromehI
of high explosive and gas shells covered
not only the twenty-five miles uhueI
attack but also the American sector
west of Montdidier and the Brltlsh
front north and south of the SoTnms
directly east OF Amiens. However, 10
infantry attacks yet have developed on
these fronts The enemy artillery uf2
affected the allied line to depth OF SIX
miles.
Increased, artillery fire on the noun
tain front in northern Italy is reported
Infantry activity, however, has Deen
confined to small local attacks. 1t IS
known that the Austro-Hungarian CON-
mand has been making great prepara-
lions for an offensive, but the blow Is
held in allegiance.
Niqht Attack Results in