Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-07-19
GERMANS MEET THEIR MATCH
Fifth Great Drive Hold Close to the
Starting Point.

The line OF the drive WIS oNer d
front of a little more than fifty miles,
extending from villers Cotterets on the
west to the Argonne forest on the cast.
In all some sixty divisions, or close to
800, 900 men were engaged, and in ev-
cry feature is the fiercest and most
desperate drive that has yet been at
tempted.
The attack was opened with a ter
rifle bombardment, said TO be the
heaviest that has ever yet been effect
ed. An unusual feature of II was the
use Of large numbers Of long range
naval guns, placed back Of the enemy
lines, and throwing shells for a dis
tance Of twenty-five miles into allied
territory.
The French had advance informa-
ton rs to the hour and place Of the at
tack and opened with their artillery n
full hour before the enemy was ready
to begin, thus causing heavy loss and
disarrangement Of enemy plans.
The allied line was defended by
French, Americans and Italians. A
section Of the line was under inde-
pendent American command, and In
other sections the Americans were
sandwiched in between French and
Italians under French command.
The Germans had twenty or twenty
five divisions east OF Rheims and
about the same number west OF
Rheims. In the sectors between
Rheims and the Argone forest to the
east, largely defended b" Americans
the enemy was unable to advance al
all. Four German divisions hurled
against the towns Of Sillery, Prosnesr
Souain and Massges. were literally cut
to pieces and one Of them was annihi-
lated. Most Of this was done by the
Americans and French. Between
fFheims and DofpaAas - tAe GsSlRaRS,a Cd
vanced several miles against the
French and Italians; but ut terrible
loss, and later they were driven bach
over most of the distance.
BY means OF q half dozen or more
bridges, the Germans crossed the river
Marne between Dormans and Reuilly
to the east Of Chateau Thierry, at 9
point defended by Americans. In the
advance OF the Germans q number o.
Americans were captured: but within
a half hour Americans advanced to the
counter attack and recaptured most o.
the American prisoners In German
hands. The Americans made three
counter attacks one after the other
and drove most Of the Germans back
across the river.
Semi Official estimates OF Wednes
day placed the German losses at no
less than 100000 and although the
Germans were claiming to have taker
$4,000 prisoners. the allies were moi
willing to concede losses Of anythinl
like such n number. German prisoner.
In the hands Of the allies numbered
5000 and of these more than half hat
been taken by the American,
Airplanes figured in the battle to @
larger extent than In any previous bat.
tie. There were more than 100 low
flying airplanes In one single allied
group. These dropped many tons ol
explosives on the German reserves ir
the rear as well as on masses OF troops
actively engaged in the fighting and
did very considerable execution.
tacking the allied lines viciously or
both sides Of the Rheims salient, what
gains they are making continue to be
small ones on isolated sectors and are
seemingly confined to the region alone
the Marne and Immediately southwest
Of Rheims.
Eastward from the cathedral city
through Champagne, the French re.
port that they are everywhere holdine
the enemy and keeping their lines in.
tact, notwithstanding the prodigious
expenditure of shells by the Germans
and the determination with which theil
troops are delivering their thrust.
Everywhere tie battles are beine
stubbornly contested and where the
French and Italians have been com.
PEELED to give ground 1t has been only
after the infliction Of extremely heavy
casualties on the invader. The Ameri.
cans nowhere have been forced to
withdraw. On the contrary near Fos-
soy. near the bend Of the Marne be
tween Chateau -Thierry and Dormans
they have made further improvements
In their positions. Like their French
comrades in arms, the Americans also
have been engaged in violent fighting
with the enemy.
Daily II becomes increasingly appar.
ent that the strategy Of the German
high command In the present battle
has foremost In its consideration the
blotting out Of the Rheims salient and
the Strengthening Of the line eastward
through Champagne toward Verdun.
The hardest fighting Of Tuesday was
southwest Of Rheims. where the ene-
my Is endeavoring to break through
the hill and forest region. reach the
railroad running from Rheims to
Epernay and force the evacuation OF
Rheims.
In these endeavors the German war
office asserts that the Germans have
driven back the allied troops on the
mountain Of Rheims between Mantenal
and north Of Pourcy. the last place be-
ing a scant five miles distant from the
Rheims and Epernay railroad. The
French official communication admits
that the Germans hold the line west OF
Nanteuil-La Fosse. about a mile and a
half south Of Pourcy and relatively five
miles west of the railroad.
It is reported that French reserves
have entered the fighting along the
Marne and to the north Of La Chap
elle- Mont Hodon they have recaptured
lost territory. The Germans also, az
was expected. have brought up fresh
forces In an endeavor to press forward
their project in this region. There Is q
veritable deluge Of shells from the
guns OF both sides along the entire
Marne front.
On the British front in northern
France and Flanders the Germans are
keeping up violent bombardments on
various sectors, using both gas and
high explosive shells. Gas has been
used extensively on the Villers- Bre-
tonneux sector, where the British for
several days have been delivering sue
ccssful patrol attacks and taking pris-
oners. The Albert sector Il coming
In for an increased shower Of shells
OF all kinds. Nowhere. however. has
the German command seen fit aa vet