Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-09
TROOPS OF ALLIES
CONTINUE TO GAIN
IN LOCAL ATTACKS
U. S. Marines and French
Withstand Two Violent &
Assaults by Germans.
l [.
TERRIFIC SMASH COMING
ON SECTOR AT ST. MlHlEL;.
Teuton Success in Region Held
by American Troops Would 1t
Menace Verdun.
REPORT FIGHTING IN FLANDERS
Greeks and Other Entente Fightsra
Keep Up Aggressive Opera.
tions in Macedonian Area. "A
TERRIFIC SMASH COMING
ON SECTOR AT ST. MlHlEL;
REPORT FIGHTING IN FLANDERS.
(By Associated Prcss.I

In the battle field of the Marne,
where a week ago the Germans were
hurlinE their masses OF troops against
the western side of the wedge they had,
driven into the allied lines In the bat.l
tie that began on March 26 tho Teu-B
tons are now standing virtually on tho
defensive in the Chateau -Thierry secsEl
tor. American and French troops are
participating in a reaction on the ex-A
trcme tip OF the salient and are mak-sl
ing progress in this important regions.
The British are engaged on the other4
side Of the wedge, between the Marneg
and Rheims.
While the operations take tho ma
ture of local attacks, they have had
their effect in driving the Germans
back from the points they reached on
the crest OF the wave that carried them
far on the road to Paris. The attack
which began just to the northwestern
Chatcau-Thierry. is spreading north
ward along the l:ne, and everywhere
the allies report ground recovered from
the enemy.
The rush OF the American marinesi
and the French on Thursday has con-,
tinued to gain ground as fast as It
did at the inception of the. movement
but it is still going on. In the mean-S
time. they have withstood two violent
attacks by the Germans. and have res
pulsed the enemy in decisive fashion,
Reports from the whole battle line
in France are to the effect that there
has been renewed activity on the part
Of the German artillery In several sec-5
-
regions under bombardment is the line
between Novon and Montdidier. tlssss
1t Is along this line that n heavy,
enemy offensive has been expected by
military experts since the momentum
of the German advance from the Afsno
has died away. When the Germans
pushed west from st. Quentin late Ia
March and early in April. the line
from Noyon TO Montdidier was almost
equal in Importance to that in front
of Amiens. The French forces were
rushed to this front and fought saw
agely to stop the German advance and
retake ground which was of stratesic
and tactical Importance.
AT the same time, the Woevre SEQ.
tor. Just to the southeast OF Verdun.
is claiming attention. Large movementss
or enemy troops in the direction OF Sc
Mihiel have been reported by aerial
observers, and there are indicationa1
that the positions OF the Americans
along this part of tho front may be:
In the storm center OF a terrific at
tack soon. s7
The advantages to be gained by the
Germans. If they succeed in breaking
this line. are manifold. Eighteen miles5
west of st. Mihiel is the town of Baras
ie-puc. and still further westward.
ewenty-eiEht miles away is Vitry.9
which would be but a stepping stone
TO a dash to Chalons sur -Marne II
the line at st. Mihicl could be broken
or driven back very far. the whole
Ncrdun sector would he in peril, ana
might have to be abandoned as45I
In the Flanders sector. which has
neen quiet since the beginning of the
attack along the Aisne. the Germans
on wednesday sought to improve 8thsfrs
positions by capturing the hospice at
l'ocre. This point would give them a
starting point for an attack on tho
village OF Locre. which is considereda
one of the keys to the allied positions5
along the hills behind the line SOUTH
west OF Ypres. The French forces In
TINS sector on Friday, however. at-S
'ackea the enemy and drove him back
10 ms former positions. and the allied
line has been restored
There have been no engagements cf
hotnbie character on the Italfan&
'front.', but In Macedonia the allies par
ticulariy the Greeks have been cofi,si
uhuing their aggressive operations.