Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-18
ATTEMPT TO GAIN
IN LOCAL THRUSTS
ONMANY SECTORS
Fierce Fighting Along the
Marne on Front Occu-
pied by Americans.
MOST VIOLENT ATTACK MADE
BETWEEN RIVER AND RHEIMS
French Hold Situation Well in
Hand Eastward
of City.
SANiMIES BETTER POSITIONS
Object OF Enemy Is to Straighten
Line Through Champagne !.
Toward terdun. aosf
MOST VIOLENT ATTACK MADE
BETWEEN RIVER AND RHEIMS
sAMMIEs BETTER POSITIONS
Object Of Enemy Is to Straighten
Line Through Champagne /.
Toward terlun. aosr
GBy Assoclatcd Press.1

Although the Germans arc still at
tackinS the allied lines vicous!y on
both sides of tho Rheims salient, what
gains they are making continue TO be
small ones on isolated sectors and
seemingly are confined to the region
along the Marno and Immediately
southwest of Rheims
Eastward from the cathedral city
through Champagne the French re-
port that they everywhere are holding
the enemy and keeping their line In
tact. Notwithstanding the prodigious
expenditure of shells by the Germans
and the determination with which
their troops are delivering their
thrusts.
Everywhere the battles are being
stubhornly contested. and where the
French and Italians have been COM
PEELED to give ground 1t has been only
after the inaiction OF extremely heavy
casualties on the invaders. The Amer
leans nowhere have been forced to,
withdraw. On the contrary, near Fes-
SOY, noar 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 hEhting
with the enemy.
ENEMY AIMS TO blot
OUT RHEIMS SALIENT
Daily it becomes increasingly ap-
parent that the strategy OF the Ger
man high command in the present bat
tie has foremost in its consideration
the blotting out of the Rheims salient
and the Strengthening of the line east
ward through Champagne toward Ver-
dun. The hardest fighting OF Tues
day was southwest of Rheims. where
the enemy is endeavoring 10 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 the Germans have driven
back the allied troops on the mountain
OF Rheims. between Mantenal and
north of Pourcy, the last-named place
being "A scant five miles distant from
the Rheims -Epernay railroad. The
French official communication admits
that the Germans hold the line west
of Nanteuil-la- Fosse. about IA mile and
a half south OF Pourcy and relatively
hve miles west of the railroad.
The German War Office is now claim
ing the capture of $4,000 prisoners
since the present offensive began
FRENCH RESERVES REPORTED ttt
ENGAGED IN BATTLE
1t is reported that French reserves
have entered the fighting line along the
Marne. and that TO the north OF La
Chappelle -Monthodon they have recap.
tured lost territory. The Germans also,
as was expected have brought up fresh
forces in an endeavor to push forward
their project in this region There Is
Il veritable deluge OF shells from the
guns OF both sides along the entire
Marine 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 Nillers- Bretton-
neuN sector. where the British for sew
eral days past have been delivering
successful patrol attacks and taking
prisoners. The Albert sector is CONF
ing in for an Increased shower Of
shells OF all kinds
Nowhere has the German command
seen tit as yet TO start an infantry
engagement. il one is contemplated.
In Albania the French and Italian
troops continue to make progress
against the Austrians. and In the Ital.
ian sector, up in the mountains. re-
peated Austrian attacks have been re-
pulsed by the Italians. 49,