The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-08-09
ALLIES TAKE
1900 SQUARE
KILOMETRES
NEAR VESLE
Over 200 Towns Taken in Of
fensive Since July 1917
German Divisions Used in
Retreat.
ENEMY LOSSES HEAVY
(By Associated Press.p


WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY ON
THE VESLE, Aug. 9.-In their often
sive since July Is, the allies have re-
gained approximately 1,500 square kill
ometres More than 200 villages and
towns including Scissors, Chateau
Thierry and Fismes. are again in the
hands of the allies. The front has
been shortened by SO kilometres, about
33 miles.
According to information contained
in documents In possession of the
French and Americans, the Germans
in the rear guard fighting during the
retreat used four more divisions than
they had contemplated using to break
the French line when the German Of
fensive began. The enemy plans cali
ed for 13 divisions to shatter the
French and to cross the Marne be-
tween Dormans and Chateau Thierry
Information gathered by the allies
is to the effect that in falling back,
the Germans brought into action at
least II divisions before reaching the
Vesle. Additional reinforcements have
been brought up since the Vesle was
crossed. A division which was rest
ling in Flanders is known to have
reached the region north Of Fismes
Tuesday
Units Reduced by Halt
An idea OF the heavy losses suffer
ed by the Germans in the fighting in
the Marne pocket. is given by German
documents in possession Of French
and American officers having been
taken from German officers and men
and obtained in various other ways
since the allied offensive began on
July IS.
One regiment lost one-third of its
effectiveness in one day. Other units
were reduced by one-half in the fight
ing up to July 20.
The Fiftieth division, a crack unit,
was ordered into the battle to stop
the pressure Of the French in the val
ley of the Ardre. 1t was a regiment
Of this division which lost one third
of its number on July %. The next
day, the commander Of the 10th COM
pany declared he had been reduced
to 35 men. The commander of the
18th company declared no one was
left in the 7th company. In other
battalions Of the regiment. similar
conditions were reported. Prisoners
say the 39th regiment lost from 60 to
IS per cent of its effectiveness in
three days.
Young Boys Fought.
On July "a, the 82nd regiment was
compelled to form three companies of
its three battalions put back into the
line. Before engaging in battle, the
companies of another division consist
ed Of eighty men each, many being
19-year-old boys. AS a result Of losses
the division was reduced by one-half
to July 90. In the region of Fere-En-
Tardenois. one regiment OF the 22nd
division was reduced to three COM
panies.
The number Of electives IN the ave
rage German company is now about
80 men, exclusive of officers and sup
Elementary non-commissioned off
GERS
Information that the German sol
diers had been ordered to destroy all
property possible, particularly cha
teaus and houses of good appearance.
during the retreat from the Marne is
in possession of the French and AM
orleans. 1t came from several sources
a detailed account being furnished by
a deserter from the Fourth Prussian
Guard division.
The deserter said that sappers had
been ordered by General Finck Won
Finckenstein to destroy everything
within their power. Similar orders
(Continued on Page Tenl