Licking Valley courier., 1918-07-25

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tained q powerful assault on Vaux;
west of Chateau Thlerry, and though
forced out Of that village momentarily,
they regalned possession Of 1t by 4
brilliant countsrattack. Then, far
ther to the east, at the Jaulgonne
bend Of tho Marns. thsy were called
on to check q tremendous rush of
Huns across the river. Their advanced
fine fell back, the guns all the time
slaughtering the Germans who were
trying to get over with pontoons and
canvas boats. Then the main line
Of defense came into action, changed
Itself Into line Of offense, and swept
the enemy back across or into the
river, killing great numbers and cap
turing about 1900, including a COM
plete brigade stan. The fighting in
that sector continued with great in
tensity. but the Americans command.
ed the river front at the bend.
-
On Tuesday the Americans, in co
operation with the French, launched
heavy attacks between st. Agnan and
La Chapelle-M -Monthodon, southeast ot
Jaulgonne, where the Germans had
succeeded in getting considerable
I'd kes across the river. The enemy
wG Iylven back steadily and both
the ages, as well as others were
,rs1sy. as From nsrnzn=---Aer.a.ri
ward toward Relms, In q sector held
by Franco-Italian forces, the Huns at
first advanced two or three miles.
but occupied no positions Of impor-
tance and were unable to disorganize
In the least the defensive line OF the
allies. BY Wednesday the Germans
were making their greatest effWts
In this sector, trying to force
their way toward Epernay. But
by this time the French were
manlfestly holding the upper hand,
and they counter.sttacked eagerly
and spiritedly. retaking every piece Of
ground which the Germans occupied
by their desperate efforts. Nearly ev-
cry attempt Of the enemy to advance
was repulsed almost before It started.
~
The swiftest and most complete
check sustained by the Germans was
east of Reims, between Pompelle fort
and Main',de Masslges. Expecting an
ensy victory there, they met with a
crushing defeat at the hands Of the
French troops under General Gouraud.
This gallant commander, who lost an
arm at the Dardanelles. had disposed
his men with the utmost cleverness.
When the German bombardment be-
gan, one OF the most terrific ever
known. the French. except for machine
gun crews In blockhouses. retired ID
shelter. Then the observers announ-
ced that the advance was starting and
instantly the enemy was swept by q
devastating fire from cannon, machine
guns and rifles. The blockhouses re
tarded the Huns, large numbers oi
whom were killed. and the charging
troops never entered the French line
of resistance, coming to a standstlll Al
the wire entanglements, which wer,
loaded with dead bodies. a.
The Huns engaged In this attack
were fifteen elite divisions, with ter
divisions supporting. Less than one.
third as many Frenchmen defeated
them, and the French casualties were
astonlshlnFly few. The attacking Ger
man divisions had to be relieved, bui
! the French staid In their positions
happy and cheerful and more CONF
dent than ever
The morale Of all the allied troops
! indeed, was Of the highest, In strong
J contrast to that OF the enemy as re
yealed by the words and actions OF
prisoners The spirit OF the Americans
engaged was shown uvidly by two In
cldents worth recording. On the hrst
day. when q certain force OF Yankees
had been compelled to give ground
their commander was advised by q
French general TO let his men rest, a
the retirement could have NO serious
consequences. The American respond
ed that he could not accept the coun
sci and was going to counter-attacI
at once. This he did, regainlng the
lost terrain and half = mile more Il
boot. Another commander, In report
ing the recapture OF q number o.
towns, wired TO headquarters: "Me
Roche on his line Of defense. Sharl
fighting. Boche turned tail and raj
like HI, pursued by our troops. Hop'
to have more prisoners" There wer'
numerous instances OF valor aud nerv,
In the desperate hghhng In which th,
Americans took part. These are tn
troops which the German papers rs
sert are nabby. without enthusiasm
and unfit for serious operations.
The French soldiers displayed thel