Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-06-13
$4,000 GERMANS ARE
GIVEN A SURPRISE
French are Ready For Big Attack
And Enemy Loses Heavily In
Making Small Gains

June 12.-The advantage gained by
the allies yesterday was even great
er than at first reported Besides
carrying out remarkably successful
counter attacks, resulting in the res
toration of some territory and the
capture of many prisoners, they re-
pulsed "a very severe German attack
in the region of Bethincourt, Mache-
mont and Chevincourt.
The enemy, by employing large
forces was able to,obtain a footing in
Machemont and Bethancourt, but an
immediate counter blow drove them
from the latter. They never reached
Chevincourt.
On width of battle front 5000
yards in extent, no fewer than four
German divisions, $4,000 men, were
preparing to hit hard blow when
the French yesterday launched a
highly successful counter attack near
Montdidier. The density of the Ger
man troops was fatal to them because
the entente artillery, machine guns,
riflemen and aviators were able to
aim point blank range into these
masses of men. This concentrated
fire did terrible execution.
The battle continued throughout
the night and in the early hours this
morning when the allies made
a further advance to theeast of Merry
which is. most important point, as
it commands the valley.
Towards the center the enemy
launched several attacks today, but
the line held firmly, although some
enemy detachments succeeded in fill
tering into the Matz valley through
the wooded country.
Yard by yard the French fought
while the Germans tried to push
them back by sheer force of num-
bers. Eventually the enemy sue
ceeded in gaining a little ground, but
at the cost of fearful sacrifice.
South of the river Disc and also
south of the Aisne. the Germans
showed much activity today. endeav-
oring to reduce the allied salient.
The spirit of the allied infantry
men when they went forward in their
counter attack yesterday, was very
high, although they knew the enemy
facing them was several times their
superior in numbers.
When the enemy was seen to be
retiring, although still making a
fierce fight in order to hold his gains
made in the first days of the battle.
the allies dashed forward with. if
possible, augmented ardor.
Americans Assist
With the American Army in Pic
ardy, Tuesday, June 11.-American
artillery aided the French in their
counter attack against the Germans
southwest and south of Montdidier
hxy inO
against the enemy. Otherwise the
American troops have not been en-
gagged in the present battle.
The Americans in the sector west
of Montdidier however. are ready to
assist in the fighting at the first OPP
portunity.
The Germans made two minor
raids against the American lines at
Cantigny Monday night and were re-
pulsed each time. One raiding party,
which numbered forty. were routed
by the revolver fire of the Ameri-
cans.
On the right of the American sec
tor German aviators have been busy.
One enemy flying machine bearing
a French insignia as disguise flew
over the American lines at height
OF 500 meters and attacked with
bombs and machine gun fire Amer
lean soldiers on the march. The
Americans took to cover and there
were no casualties. Reportsfthat the
Germans have been using French
signs on their airplanes have been
numerous during the past fortnight.
While It Is too early to estimate
the extent of progress likely in the
present German attack between Noy-
on and Montdicier, 1t is clear that 1t
is deliberate resumption of the
drive toward Paris.
Having been brought to a stand
still on the front between scissors
and Chateau Thiery, which consti-
tutes the German left flank and be-
ing stopped by the nature of the
country in the center between Sois-
sons and Noyon, the Germans are en-
deavoring to advance down the
great northern roads leading to Paris
on the west banks of the Disc.
On March 81. in the great opening
offensive. it seems that German
strategy had two possible and alter
native detectives.
Tie larger was to push south to
and beyond Compieghe. uncovering
Paris. The smaller was a. drive to
the westward upon Amiens, separat-
ing British and French armies.
French military observers assert
that the first of these purposes was
blocked by the speed with which the
French reserves were thrown into
action between Noyon and Montdid-
Ter. and that the Germans had per-
force to adopt their second strategic
al purpose and push IL as far as pos
sible.
The second German blow for Paris !
was delivered on May 81 and result |
"a in carrying the left flank of the
,rnsns forward until 1t rested in
r. alive security upon the Marine. !
Fir 'ther. advance being impossible
there because of the concentration of
French reserves with certain Amer
lean units, the German has now
shifted his effort to the right flank, |
a logical and normal development of
his strategy.
The road down which the German
is now attempting to advance are
precisely the same roads that Kluck |
followed in his great drive of August
1914. These roads lead to the Disc, |
which Kluck crossed near Compiegne
and at Ponc st. Maxence and Creil |
They brought him to Senlis and
{ .py-en-Valois, from which points |
he made his great swinging move
ment away from Paris, which led
directly to the battle of the Marine.
In a sense the present attack must
open a critical period. The Germans
Ore now too near Paris not to be-
come threatening with every success
ful adVatfce even thouph II Is reln |