The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-07-15
(By the Associated Press


 After wait of B days since they halted in their plunge toward Compegne along the western bank of the Disc the Germans at dawn today launched phase of their mighty offensive by attacking from Chateau Therry to Mai de Champagne north of Masgnes and far east of Rheims over front about 65 miles in length.
 Latest reports say the Geermans have crossed the Marne places This probably to the reaches of the Marne between Chateau Thierry and Dormans
 American troops engaged in the battle in this parcu lar region and reports say they handling the enemey we'll They broke the German drive in the Vaux region west of Chateau Thierry by flashing counter attack.
 Reports show that far the length of line is ed the present drive is the greatest of the At first it believed from the French office statement that the line about 50 miles extent but apparently the report from Paris told simply of the length of the French lines under at tack Measurements of the line where fighting is known to be going however show that it is 1O5 klometers 65 miles long, The attack against the Camba front March 2 front of 5 miles,
 Last night terrible artillery fire ooed against the Allied lines from Chateau Terry the west to Maison de Champagne north of Massgnes, on the east
 For hours the Entent allied lines under tempest of tremendous character Not only the actual battle under bombardment but towns and cities far behind the lines were made targets for great 10 and 12 inch pOeces what appears to be naval siege brought behind the German positions.
 During the last few weeks has been rmored that the sumption of the German offensive would witness long of places that had heretofore been regarded safe from the front These proved to be
 The lay world had expected the German main effort to be oosed against the line from the Marne to the Ane Chateau Thierry in the Picardy sector toward Abbeve nor in the Ly sector against the channels ports Along this line the Allies have been daily improving their lines and preparing for the drive.
 Germans chose sector that, except for surprise attack around Rhems late in June has been quiet since the offensive launched the Asne May 27 to a stand still of Rheims and north of Chaons there has been little fighting of significance for long time
 This line, of which Rheims may be regarded the key stone chosen for the that information might received by the Germans that it less strongly than along the front Paris This might be sonabe expect that greater territory could be there at smaller expense and materials than where the Allies known to be very strong.
 The Germans hold the northern bank of the Mane for distance miles east of Chateau Therry Their line the the village of Dormans and off to the northeast Rheims where turns abruptly to the southeast and runs the valley of the Cee river to the village Pomnee where it turns eastward and relatively straight line to Verdun Maison de Champagne the limit of the present battle 31 miles west of Nerdun.
 Located back of the Allied line east of Rheims the rail- road which supplies the French forces in Verdun the Americans St. Mhe with food and supplies In this too are important cities of Chalons Epernay Due all of which important supply n Continued Page Two)