The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-27
AMERICANS AID
BRITISH ARMY
IN BIG BATTLE
London Says u. S. Troops Are
Fighting Shoulder to ShouI-
der With Allies.
ROYE TAKEN BY GERMANS
Paris Announces Evacuation of Noyon
Fighting Continues With the
Greatest VioIence-Entente
Reported to Be Plan
ming Coup.

London, March 27.-The following
statement was issued by the war of
flee: "The enemy has been checked
west of Roye and Noyon. In the ROye
area British, French and American
troops are fighting shoulder to shoul-
der. French re-enforcements are rap
idly coming up.
North of the Somme local fighting
has taken place at different points.
Much movement of hostile troops and
transport has been observed in the
battle area, and these have been en-
gagged by our artillery and airplanes.
South of the Somme the hostile at
tacks reported in the morning have
been pressed vigorously with fresh
German divisions against Noyon and
ROye. In the afternoon new hostile
attacks commenced in the neighbor-
hood of Chaulnes and between Chaul-
nes and the Somme, to the north of it.
The battle is continuing on the whole
front south of the Somme.
Allies RepuIse Attacks.
Lie el6luA uldu6 no 1uTIueF at
tacks during the night of March 1926
on our front north of the Somme Dur
ing the afternoon there have been
local engagements on this part of the
battle 'front.' in which the enemy has
been repulsed, but he has attempted
no serious attacks. The line north of
the Somme now runs: Bray, Albert,
Beaumont Hamel, Puissieux, Ayette
Boiry, Henin, Wancourt, just west of
MOnchy to the Scarpe, and thence
along our original front
'The Germans have been attacking
heavily south of the Somme in the
morning and took Roye at 10 80 a. m
The fighting died down during the
night. Our troops established them
selves on new positions east of Roye
and Albert.
The line there appears to run
from MericOurt on the SOmme through
ROsieres, west of Roye and west of
Noyon. Fresh German divisions have
been identified in this area including
two guard and two Brandenburg di-
visions.
''The enemy's losses continue to be
severe. He has been obliged to re-
enforce his battle front from all parts
of the western theater. More than
seventy hostile divisions are known to
have been engaged in the battle"
French Hold SoIidIy Above Noyon.
Paris, March 27--The war office is
sued the following statement: Our
troops are holding solidly to their po-
siti0ns on the left bank of the Disc
above NOyOn. The fighting continues
with undiminnished violence along the
front comprising Braye-Su -Somme
Chaulnes, Roye and Noyon.
During the evening and in the
night the enemy multiplied his at
tacks on the whole front between
Noyon and Chaulnes.
The French artillery, well estab-
lished in the region of NoyOn and sup
ported effectively by our infantry, is
retarding the German thrust. Ere
quent counter-attacks have been made
and heavy losses inflicted on the
enemy.
"NOyon was evacuated during the
night in perfect order The French
are holding the left bank of the Disc
firmly"
Claims Allies Retreat
Berlin, Marcn PA new phase has
set in in the tremendous battle on both
sides Of the SOmme. The enemy is
retreating on a wide front. During
the pursuit we have already crossed
at many points our old positions before
the Somme battle in 1916 in a wester-
ly direction. We are before Albert
Lihons, Roye and NoyOn have been
taken.
In continuation of the great battle
in France our troops achieved fresh
successes. English divisions brought
up from Flanders and Italy and French
divisions threw themselves against our
troops in desperate attacks. tt ey
were defeated.
THE armies of General Won BueIow
and General Won der Marwitz have fin
ally maintained themselves in ErviIlers
after a hot and f1uctuating battle. and
IN their advance against Achiet-le-
Grand captured the villages of Bihu-
court, Biefyillers and Grevillers. They
also have captured Ireles and Mirau-
mont and have crossed the Ancre river.
Germans Cross Somme.
English troops, freshly brought for
ward, attacked violently on a wide
front from the direction of Albert. The
enemy was driven back after a bitter
STRUGGLE. We have crossed the Ba-