The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-07-30
HUNS RIGHT FLANK
PRESSED BACK
French and Americans Gain Be-
tween Scissors and Ourcq.
FOE ABANOONS RIVER LINE
The Enemy Retires Three Miles on
20-Miie Line in Oay-Seroy
Changed Hands Four Times.

Changed Hands Four Times.
Paris, July 30-The allied forces
continued to gain ground at almost
all points on the Scissors Rheims sa
lient, but the principle progress, &C
cording to the war Office announce
ment. was on the west flank and
around Fere- en-Tardenois.
Numerous villages fell into the
hands Of the allies.
The French won ground on the i'm
portant front between scissors and
the OurcQ, on the German right flank.
Launching a new attack near Grand
! Rozoy they advanced half mile. The
high ground here already is in French
hands. The fighting was still proceed
ing at latest reports received.
Still further north toward scissors
the French surrounded the village Of
Buzancy and took 200 prisoners, but
later lost the village.
From various parts of the line the
news is that the Germans are con-
tinuing their retirement, but are re-
sisting strongly at several points, es-
pecially on the easterly wing along
the line of Chamvrecy, Ville-en-Tarde-
nois and Saint Gemmy.
The Germans started new battle
in a quiet sector east of Rheims by
launching heavy attack against the
French positions on hill 1S1, near
Mont Sans Nom. When latest des-
patches were filed the fighting was
proceeding without much advantage
on either side.
The allied line in the Rheims-Sois-
sons pocket, according to advices re-
celved, runs approximately as fol-
lows: Bligny, Chambrecy, Ville-en-
Tardenois, Hill $50, Villvers-Agron-
Augizy, Saint Gemmy. Labrillerie,
Rouchedes, Cierges, Sergy, Meuroy
farm, Fere-en-Tardenois. Givray, Wa
lee and Grand Rozoy, where it Joins
the line running south from Scissors.
At Fere-en-Tardenois the line runs
through the central railway station.
Since Sunday the allies have ad-
vanced between two and three miles
The enemy has definitely abandon
ed the line of the Ourcq and there is
little doubt now that he will go back
beyond the Vesle to the line thirty
miles between scissors and Rheims,
which Is probably well intrenched and
has good lines of communication.
The German retirement has been
quite orderly and deliberate. So far
the taking of only four guns has been
reported.
Heavy fighting is still in progress
to the south of scissors, In the neigh
borhood Of Buczancy. SO far the
French have made no progress there.
Villages between scissors and Base
oches, about fourteen miles to the
east, however, are on fire, leading to
the belief that the Germans may in
tend further retreat.
The allies pushed on beyond Fere-
en-Tardonis and maintained their po-
sitions everywhere In the face or
strong German counter attacks.
The village of Sergy, southeast of
fere- EN- Tardenois, changed hands four
times, finally remaining in possess on
of the allies.
An extremely violent artillery duel
was on north Of the OurcQ as far as
scissors. In the sector south of the
Ourcq the guns also were busy.
Further south the Americans at
Roncheres sustained and defeated
strong attack by a guards division.
The chosen Prussian troops were
stopped everywhere, suffering enor-
nous losses.
The eastern wing Of the front was
comparatively quiet except for artil-
lery fire. During the night the Ger
mans launched thousands of shells
into the valleys Of the Marine and the
Ardre.
In the streets Of Fere-en-TardOnis
there was very severe hand-to-hand
fighting. but the allies eventually OBJ
tanned the upper hand.
After conquering Fere-enT ardenois
the allies next had before them the
difficult task Of crossing the river
OurcQ in the face Of the strongest
German fire Happily, the river is
running very low just now, for not a
bridge was left intact.
The allies succeeded in overcoming
all obstacles here, and secured foot
hold on the northern bank, where they
present a serious menace to the enc
my.
Further to the southeast, in the
neighborhood of the forest, toward
the center of the pocket, both infant
nv and the artillery were heavily en-
gagged.
In the region north of Ris forest
there were some very furious combats
which lasted several hours and result
ed in the allies gaining possession Of
Champvoisy. Then Roncheres was
reached by advanced guards, Further
to the east cavalry patrols came into
action In the Meunlere wood and at
villers-A gron-AiguiZ
All along this part of the line the
enemy threw great quantities of gas
shells. the fumes of which remained
for a long time among the woods.
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