Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-06-13
Enemy Gains Wiped Out
by Foch Mems Advance
Fight Still Fierce.

| troops last night struck a heaYy
blow against the German forces
which have been advancing on
the eastern wing OF the new
front of attack. The war Of
flee announces today that the
French had hurled back the en-
emy to the north bank OF the
MatZ river. Violent cOmbRts
continue between the Aisne
river and the Eillers- -COtterets
forest The Germans have pro-
gressed as far as the raVlne
east of LaVersine, north OF
Cutry. After violent fighting
the enemy obtained a fOOthOld
I'm COeuVres and St Pierre
Aigle.
The attack southwest OF Soils
sons, on the front between the
Aisne and the Marne, has been
broken by the violent resist
ance of the French, says q Ha-
vas correspondent, telegraph
ing from the front The en-
my, he says, has made progress
which Is absolutely insignia
cant at price Of losses.
| London, June 13.-British troops
last night advanced their lines a
short distance on the Flanders front
in the district southwest Of Merrls.
the war office announced today.
The French on this front likewise
improved their positions near the
ridge wood. Prisoners were taken
in both operations.
(By Associated Press)
German forces which succeeO-t-
in crossing the Matz river to the
west of the Disc, on the battlefront
south Of Noyon, held their posi-
tions there for only a brief period.
French troops, counter-attacking
the enemy, have hurled him back
to the north bank Of the river and
checked his advance toward Com
peigne.
The news from the scene Of the
tremendous struggle, as told In o.
fetal statement, shows that on the
field west of the Oise the Germans
have come to a halt for the present
at least.
The enemy has not renewed his
attacks in line from CourCelles TO
Antheuil, where on Tuesday brill
liant French counter attack swept
the invaders back and reestablish-
ed the French lines on the plateau
overlooking the center of the Ger
man position. This position ia
most embarrassing to the Germans.
for it places many of their most
important lines of communication
under the direct fire of the French
artillery.
Farther east, the Germans SINH
Iarly have not continued their ad-
vance toward the Aronde river.
Removes Serious Menace.
The crossing of the Matz rivcr
by the Germans Tuesday night con-
stituted a serious threat 10 Com
peigne. 1t also tended to weaken
the French positions on the east
side Of the Disc river The French
success in driving the enemy back
across the Matt, therefore. is cheer
ing news for the allies. The French
are now strongly posted on the
south bank of the Matz
East of the Disc. the French have
withdrawn their lines south of the
Ourscamp and CaTlepont forests,
tut are protecting the Laigue for
est along a line which is strong.
This change in the line was eE-
pected since the Germans occupied
Ribecourt, on the west bank of the
Disc.
The attack on the front south
west Of scissors is making ground
hut the progress is apparently too
slow for the Germans 10 realize
their plan to cut behind Compeigne
forest and outhank the French po-
sitiOns farther north, In the fight
ing so far the Germans have made
less than a mile along q front about
three miles in extent from south
of Ambleny to st. Pierre-Aiglc.
French Make Heroic Stand.
With the French Army in Franco
Wednesday. June p tBy the Asso-
ciated Press. night Tie defense
of Courcelles. on the left wing Of
the battlefront. by the French
against attacks repeated day and
night from June 20 June II
makes a wonderful story of hero
ism The village which is most
important, owing to its command
ing position was for As hours ale
most surrounded by the enemy but
the French held on and when a ft-
vorable opportunity came SORTED
and counter attacked. rep9lsiug the
Germans from the vicinity
The Germans tried every possible
ruse as we'll as force to take the
village The crops were "A source
of considerable trouble 10 the de-
tenders as the Germans could creep
through them until they reached
the edge of the village. The enemy
also covered their helmets with
clumps OF grass and weeds aud
crawled slowly forward They
could not. however, shake the de-
termination OF tho French 20 70
tain the village.
Push on Though Tired Out.
The spirit OF the offensive was
so high among the allied troops
that they continued their advance
- lie