The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-08-08
NEWS NUBS FOR HASTY READING
The European War.

The European War.
Friday of last week French troops
entered the town of SOissons, the west
crn anchor point of what remains of
the famous salient, and all along the
thirtysix miles Of curving battle line
from Soissons to Thillois. which lies
about three miles west of Rheims,
French, American and British troops
have pushed in the entire enemy front
and sent the Germans backward every
where in hurried retreat.
4 press dispatch from the front
states that the town of Frisnles. Ger
nlany's great storehouse OH the Ainse-
Marne battlefront, fell into the hands
of the French and Americans last Sat
urday. Thirty-three cannOns and 500
prisoners were captured. The French
have also crossed the Veile River at
several points. The Huns made a des-
rerate resistance, but were thrown
Lack The dispatch continues:
Northwes. of Rheims we have won
ground up to the village of La Neuvil-
lette, which the enemy is defending
with great energy.
"On the left bank of the Avre. he
tween Castel and Mesneil st. Gorges.
the Germans were forced to abandon a
part Of their positions. We have occu-
pied Braches and penetrated into Har-
gicOurt. We have also advanced our
line to the outskirts of Courtemanche.
We took prisoners.
Monday the Germans were reported
as making Il strong opposition to the
further advance Of the Allies along the
Vesle River from the east of Soissons
to the west of Rheims. In the meall-.
time the main army of the Huns is
falling back toward the Aisne, to the
north of which stream it hopes to evade
Il further attack from the French,
American, British and Italian troops.
The Soissons- Rheims salient no longer
exists. The Huns will not stop south
of the Aisne, but may make stand in
the hills OH the north side of that river.
They evidently will not make deter
mined stand. as French and American
light troops have crossed the Vesle and
are annoying the German fianks. There
is also force of Americans beyond the
Vesle at Frismes, the advance of which
would tend to break the center of the
German attacking column. The result
Of this movement, it is thought, will be
to drive the enemy from the strong po-
sition north of the Aisne. either with
or without Il fight.
A dispatch, dated Tuesday. states
that the Vesle River is flooded. which
the Aisne. The Germans are trying to
delay the advance of the Allies until
their heavy guns can be moved to the
northern bank of the Aisne. The bad
weather. heavy rainfalls, the swollen
river and the resultant wretched con-
dition of the terrain with which the
Allied troops along the vesle now have
to contend. not to mention the neceS-
sity of bringing UP guns, ammunition
and supplies which We're left far be-
hind in the rapid advance. is doubtless
having more to do with the holding in
leash of Marshal Foch's troops than
the opposition the Germans are throw
ing in their way.
The Germans have been heavily
shelling the American and French sol
diers, who have made their way across
| to the north hank Of the Vesle. or
are delivering heavy counter-attackS
against them. but everywhere they
have met with Il stOne-wall of resist
ance that has not permitted them to
comter.alance their losses of ground.
\ dispatch dated the 7th states that
| the Americans crossed the Vesle River
| Tuesday night and ut an early hour
that morning, during Il heavy rain.
French troops had already gained a
position on the left, and this length
ened the line from a point west OF
RazOches to Fismes. The crossing. was
made under heavy machine gun fire
and waves of gas. The attack by the
infantry of the Allies was preceded
by artillery preparations. Under cover
of harrage. the engineers completed
the work of throwing light bridges ovel
the stream, While the officers chosen
| to lead the dash across the river plac
ed their men in position. working them
| downward toward the points where the
| bridges were known to be. The chal
| lenges were accepted Immediately by
til German artillery, and in Il few min
utes the reports of guns which had
been heard all day were moved into
one great roar. The clouds, which had
lifted slightly. reappeared just before
the attack was launched, and therefore
the action was conducted without
much advantage in observation by air
craft. The men OH the American righl
fought their way along the choseI
routes. Some of them founderet
across through the water while Others
used the bridges that still were lef
standing.
One detachment of Germans, some
what more than company. moved for
ward into the open. Here the Ameri
can machine guns caught them, ant
sweeping them with bullets, destroyed
them almost totally. The Germans
also attempted to strike the American.
Il disconcerting counter-blow with ;
considerable force by plunging down /
ravine leading to the river. Their pati
had been cleared by their artillery ant
they might have succeeded in reachin:
the Americans, but the movement hat
Eeen reported to the artillery station;