The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-04-08
rs Divisions Hurled
Al Amiens Defense
By the Asaociated pfesH

W ~
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN
FRANCE, Sunday, April Twenty.
five divisions have been used by the
Germans in the last four days in ef-
forts to break through the French line
and reach the railroad running south
from Amiens. All attacks have been
checked by the wonderful resistance OF
the French. some OF whom wefe thrown
into the line as soon as they arrived on
the battlefield.
The Germans are obtaining only in
significant results in their attempts TO
advance, considering the number OF
troops engaged. as the German force is
at least three times as great as the num-
Der. oil French defenders.
French Use Small Forces.
The cheerfulness and confidence with
which the French troops go into action
is remarkable. They feel they are bet
ter than the enemy and make light OF
the German superiority in numbers.
The French command continues to work
on the principle Of using the smallest
possible number OF troops to stay the
German rush, thus retaining the re-
serves for possible attacks some place
else.
Powerful trench mortars have made
their appearance behind the German in
iantry, but up to this time have not in
fluenced the situation TO any extent
and in some places the guns have been
unable to approach within an effective
range. On the other hand an enormous
number Of machine guns pour an in
tense barrage into the French lines and
at the same time the German infantry
attempts, under cover OF this fire, 10
get close to the French line in small
groups and establish in pockets from
which to leap forward at the proper
moment.
All Fire Turned on Huns.
This procedure was quickly neutral
lied by the French and the Germans
are nov %resuming massed attack, in
which their men come under the direct
fire OF French machine guns, rifles,
grenades and Us which inflic, terrible
losses. The Us do terrific execution,
cutting wide lanes through the enemy
ranks.
Little Heed Slaughter.
The enemy commanders appear TO
pay little attention to this slaughter.
their aim being TO reach the objective,
whatever the cost.
Late last night the enemy again at
tackled in the region OF Grivesnes but
we're repulsed sanguinarily and forced
back to their own lines with greatly
diminished numbers, Further south, in
the vicinity Of Noyon they at first suc
eeeded in entering the French post
tons. Later, after the most severe
fighting they were compelled to retreat,
leaving the situation unchanged.
All Attacks Futile.
Mont Renaud, near Noyon, saw re-
peated attacks from the Germans
throughput Saturday, but all we're equal
ly futile. The hill was the first point
where the French barred the German
advance through the Disc valley towards
| Compeigne and Paris. When the Ger
mans first swept down from Noyon the
hill changed hands repeatedly. The
ground whereabouts shows striking evil
dence of the fearful nature OF the bat
tie in the number of German bodies
that can be seen.
Since March 10 the French have not
budged In fact, they have gained
some ground on the northern slopes Of
the hill. The Germans occupied two
hills overlooking Mont Renaud which
possess little practical value, through
they afford a view Of what is going on
in Noyon, and slightly beyond that
town.