New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-07-27

was to be launched was known with
comparative certainty.
On the morning of March 81 the
Germans began heir attack from the
vicinity of Arras on the north, to La
Fere, on the south. and centering
their heaviest columns against the
British forces, under General Cough,
al st. Quentin.
Staggering before the impact Of the
blow, the British army fell back rap
idly. For eight days the Germans
poured through the old Allied line in
an effort to crush the British and
drive a wedge between them and the
French, who We're holding the lines
to the south. Then came a period of
reaction and the Germans came to a
stop. They had driven ahead for
thirty-five miles, along a front ex-
tending moro than fifty miles before
they were halted.
Hardly had their Ieeions been held
before Amiens than new offensive
was begun in Flanders, on April 9. 1t
swept the British back through Ar
mentieres. but did not break their
lines. The British, with the French
who were rushed UP to the front,
stopped the Germans after they had
reached the hills southwest of Ypres.
There, on April 9. the Germans suf-
fered a terrible defeat that halted
their offensive in that quarter.
Foch in Supreme Command.
In the midst of the drive in the
sector toward Amiens the Allied Ma
tons took a vitality important step.
They named General Ferdinand Foch,
hero of the first battle of the Marine.
generalissimo OF the Allied Forces on
the western front. which includes al
the line in Italy as we'll as in France
Even the Thurman coast in northern
Russia has been held to be under his
command
After a period of quiet, the Ger
mans attacked once more, this time
| on the Aisne river, and in seven days
| they reached the Marine at Chateau
| Thierry. making penetration or
about twenty eight miles. At the
Marine they were checked and the
! impetus of the blow was broken.
| With badly days pause for re-
! organization of their forces. the Ger
! mans agarr attacked, choosing the
| sector between Montdidier and Noyon.
| on the southern side of the salient
driven into the Allied line during the
| March offensive as the stage Of their
| ONSLAUGHT. This offensive ran for tive
DAYS and WAS stopped north of Com
piegne after losses which were de-
! scribed as unprecedented had been in
nicted upon the Germans.
From June "A until July ID the Ger
mans were ENGAGED in shifting their
! forces and then they again struck.
, This time the line of attack was from
| Chatea Theory eastward. around 10
| the north of Rheims and then down
the Neslc river TO Prunay and from
! that village eastward to MaSSlgeS'
, This attack at the close of the year
developed into one OF the most am
| bilious OF the German strokes.
! German forces crossed the Marine
over wide front. but were unable to
! make ground against American
troopa near Chateau-Thierry and
cou1d not advance rapidly farther
east Thee did. however, forge ahead
on the north side of the Marine and
between that stream and the Noun
tain of Rheims. 1t appeared for a
SINE that they might reach Epernay
Then Cen F'och struck counter
blow which still is i'll progress. Am
arican and French troops attacked
the Germans between Fontenoy OF
the Aisne west Of scissors and Beleau
on the Clignon northwest of Chateau
! tThierr,- So sudden and powerful
was the blow that the Germans fel
back RAPIDLY until their reserves coult
be hurried up.
The rapid advance of the Allies
however, so menaced the German
forces farther south that on July Is
the enemy began q retreat across the
Marine. on Sunday, July II, the
French and Americans entered Cha,
teau-Thierry and pressed on after
tie retiring Germans.
Since that time the Allies have
gained slowly hut steadily. not only
south Of scissors, but also north o
the Marine and between that river
and Rheims. There are Indications
that a German retreat from the So
lient now is under way
, Italians Stand Firm
On june Is, the Austrians began
a drive against italy. It was a fail