The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-08-08
General Foch Is Squeezing the
Crown Princes Army Out of
SoiSsons -Reims Salient.
HUNS IN PER|LOUS POSITION
American Troops Are Highly Praised
for Their Fine Work-British In
Flanders Take Meteren-SiIIy
Exploit Of U-Boat Off
Cape Cod.
BY EDWARD w. PICkARD.

"We've got 'em on the run" was the
joyful cry of America as the news
came in of the victorious progress Of
the allied troops in the Soissons-Reims
salient
In measure this was true, for the
Germans were being gradually
squeezed out of the salient, and there
was every reason for elation over the
splendid fighting of the allies. But to
hail the success as great decisive
victory WAS premature and foolish.
Such running as the Huns did was
done only at the start of Foch's often
Sivc. when they We're taken by sur
prise. Their commanders quickly re-
gained some measure Of control, and
thereafter the enforced retreat was
conducted skilfully and slowly, every
bit Of ground being bitterly contested
In order that as many guns and as
much supplies as possible might be
saved. Realizing that his entire army
south of the ASnc NOS in grave dan
ger. tho crown prince sent in more and
more of his reserves until 40 divisions
were engaged, and desperate efforts
defense. However, nothing was al
lowed to stop the steady forward
movement Of the allies on three fronts
Of the salient, and the path Of re-
trcnt was narrowed day by day. All
Of the territory yet held by the enemy
was brought under the fire Of the
heavy guns, and the airmcn in great
numbers flew over the region day and
night. working havoc with their bombs
and machine guns
-N--
AT tho beginning If the week there
were highly successful operations on
the west front Of the salient, in both
of which the Americans played an I'M
p0rtant part. at the tip of the Ger
man advance Chateau Thtcrry was
taken by storm and a large section
north and east of 1t was cleared Of
Huns. Here thousands Of Germans
were killed. other thousands captured,
and great numbers of cannon and
quantities of supplies were taken.
From this point northward to Sois-
sons the Franco Americans swept east
ward until Neullly st. Front was TAX
en-. Oulchy threatened, SOissons itself
brought under gunfire and the very i'm
porthnt railroad from there to Chateau
Ihlerry crossed at so many places that
1T could no longer be used by the en-
envy. This drive, to be wholly sue
ccssful had to be carried to Fere-en-
Tardcnois. through which ran the only
remaining railway which the Huns
could rely upon to get their war sup
plies out Of the way Of Foch's pincers.
and before the week closed the French
and Yankees were moving steadily to-
ward that town from the west and
south. 1t must not be supposed that
their progress was easy. The GER
mans counter-attacked repeatedly ana
fought brave and stubborn rear-guard
battles. The village Of Epieds, FOR IN
stance, after being taken Mt the point
Of the bayonet by the Americans, was
recaptured by the Huns, and again
won by the Yankees. who then ad-
vanced their lines far beyond IT.
Some Of the fiercest fighting TOOK
place along the Marne east of chateau
Thierry. At first the Germans rctreht-
ed across the river so hastily that the
movement amounted almost to rout.
From the heights of Jaulgonne, Barry
and Passy. the American guns poured
n deadly hail upon the fleeing roe
many Of whom, throwing away thelr
| rifles, sought to swim the river, ana
were drowned.
| -Ea--
| When Foch was secretly preparing
for his great strategic attack he called