The sun., 1918-07-29
ALLIED PATROLS AT
SOUTH OURCO BANK
Fierce Fighting on Wings;
Tanks Playing Big Part.
BY the Associated Press.

WITH THE FRENCH ARMIES ON THE
AIsNE-MARNE FRONT, July 2S.-Entente
allied patrols pushing ever forward have
reached the southern bank Of the River
Ourcq. This morning was extremely
quiet along the centre OF the salient,
where the Germans were not Offering
great opposition.
. On both wings, however, the greatest
activity prevails. The enemy has
massed many heavy guns TO the north Of
Scissors on the nights around Juvigny
and Chavisny. whence they lSsssssard
with an enfiading fire the western wing
as far south as Oulchy-le- Chateau. Not
withstanding this bombardment the
Allies in the Oulchy-le- Chateau region
are making some progress. although
they are faced by the Germans best d.
vision and the concentrated fire of nu-
merous machine guns
On the eastern wing the Allies grad
ualy are obtaining command of the
whole road leading from Dormans TO
Rheims. On this side also the Germans
have assembled a great force OF artil-
lery In the neighborhood of st. Therry.
northwest of Rheims. These guns cover
the German left flank and consequently
make the progress slower for the Allies
The retreat of the German Crown
Princes forces along the whole Marne
front has reached a more precipitate
phase. At some places the Germans
have fallen back for a distance of sew
eral miles. French and American
troops are marrying the retiring forces
on the centre. while French and Brit
fish troops are hammering at both
TANKS
Cavalry and tanks in considerable
Numbers have succeeded In getting in
among the retiring Germans. while air.
planes are bombarding their columns
on the march.
The incessant smashing blows night
and day of the Entente Allies left the
enemy nothing else to do but to retreat
or die is his positions. Even their sud
den retirement has not relieved the
Germans from constant marrying.
in addition to the slashing of the
cavalry and the pounding of the tanks
the lives OF the German rear guards
are being made precar!ous by Entente
infantry patrols. Meanwhile allied avi-
ators daringy fly few hundred feet
overhead. bombarding and machine gun
ming the German batteries and columns
on the march.
The tank crews have been heroes in
this chase and ever since the commence
ment of the German retreat they have
done remarkable work After breaking
up the enemy front line and preparing
the way for an advance of infantry the
tanks have throughout continued to ex-
plot the success gained.
Some tanks have even attacked the
enemy artillery batteries and killed all
the gunners, Il us permitting the infantry
to capture many of these weapons. There
IS not tank in the section which has
taken part in the fighting that has not
from fifteen to twenty machine guns to
its credit. Most OF the prisoners declare
that the losses caused by the tanks have
been terrible.
The line where the German with
drawal has attained It's greatest depth
Is northeast of Chateau Thierry. The
depth from that point gradually be-
comes narrower until It IL quite small
on nearing the eastern pivot on the
front southwest OF Rheims Both here
and around Scissors. the other pivot,
the ground in admirably suited for
defence.
- In the vicinity OF these two points
the Germans have concentrated most
of their artillery and large forces of
infantry, knowing that II a breach be
made at either place by the Allies a
great majority OF the German troops
occupying the remainder of the pocket
must be sacrificed
On the banks of the Marine south OF
the centre OF the salient not single
live German remains. Their sudden re-
treat here was brought about by the
constant pressure OF the French, Ameri-
cans and British. Allied troops have
kept constantly on the heels OF the
enemy and some patrols have advanced
considerably further than the line In
dicated.