Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1918-08-02
DISASTER LOOMING
OVER BOCHE ARMY
ATTACKS BY ALLIES INCREASE
IN VIGoR, ENEMY BEING IN
DESPERATE PLIGHT.
Every Line Of Communication damned
with Retreatlna Germans, and Their
Escape Will BE Little Short
of Miraculous.

Washington. - Every bulletin that
comes from the battlefront in France
As more encouraging than the pre-
ceeding one. The allied forces have
she Huns on the run. Steady advances
are being made by the French and Am
erlcan soldiers, while the Hun morale
Is reaching a low ebb.
The relentless and concentrated
pressure the Franco-American forces
are exerting upon the retreatIng
army of the crown prince drew express
eions of surprise and admiration from
both allies and American military ex-
perts here. The belief gains that every
line of communication from the region
of Fere-en-Tardenois to Ville-en-Tarde-
nois is jammed with retreating Ger
mans, and that their escape to the line
of the Vesle will be little short of a
miracle.
The attacks of the allies on the ter
man right flank south of scissors are
increasing in vigor, and break at any
point In the line would mean disaster
to the beaten German hosts. AS yet
no official accounting of the number
of prisoners, cannon and supplies has
been received by any of the allied
military attaches. 1t is believed, how
ever, that great stores were taken at
Fere-en-T ardenois.
The Germans have used every device
and strategy to prevent the victorious
allied fighters from cutting off the
picked troops of the rearguard forces
How desperate is the situation of the
Germans is clearly shown by the news
that their rearguard forces are made
up largely of Prussian regiments, men
taught from early manhood that the
German war machine is invincIble and
that they and their fellows are UNI
eQualed among the warriors of the
world.
According to reports received
through diplomatic channels, the new
Hight French tanks are playing a great
part In carrying the battle steadily to
the enemy, who, In retreat, has stopped
at nothing to raise every barrier pos
sible.
1t Is recounted that the tanks went
forward with all the dash Of the French
cavalry, never retiring in the. face of
any obstacle and attacking centers of
resistance Of enemy batteries, under q
terrible fire from machine guns and
special cannon which the enemy turned
on them.
Each squadron Of tanks reduced an
average of from rs to - maehine-gun
nests. Often In the attack certain
tanks were driven to the TANKS, where
their crews leaped to the ground and
made sure that no enemies were left
lurking In any of the cement pilIboxes.
The tanks were In action steadily
from July is to "a. The tank crews
refused to go to the rear for rest and
every day led in the assaults. OFTEN
they returned to the combat four OF
ave times In one day. Each company
fought three full days, and some OF
the drivers were Mt their posts for &c
hours without sleep.
American officers who studied the
reports of the successes achieved BIZ
the tanks stated unreserved1y that mex
year will see swarms of tanks on the
western front. 1t is stated that Ameri
can tank units win be given q promi
nent part in the work which may be
set for the assaulting units chosen foi
the fighting In 1919.
At this time it is said there is littl6
doubt that the allied forces are busy
replacing wearied forces with fresI
troops. These new troops come from
reserves which have been in a position
to support the other salients.
1t is pointed out that by using ever,
mode and means of attack the allies
now can inflict upon the enemy fai
greater damage than might be accom-
plished by an attempted drive at an
other point.
1t is the hope of some critics tina
the army of the crown prince will b
80 bruised and battered In the retrea
from the Marine that the German
win, for all time, be placed on the de
fensive.