The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-06-05
Consolidated Aug. 2, 1881.
FIGHTING IN new SECTION.
LARGE GERMAN FORCES NEAR
AILErTE RIVER.
Work for Infantry-ArtIllery Action
Only About as Much as Seen I'm
Quiet Sector Ordinarily.

With the French Armies In France
May 81 (By the Associated Press y
Fighting has been begun on a new
section OF the battle line in the region
OF the Ailette River between the
Aisae front and the front Of the Ger
man attack In March. Owing to the
ability OF the enemy to bring to bear
large concentration OF artillery and
the use of poison gas shells, the allies
were Obliged to withdraw slightly.
The fan-like formation of the en-
emy movement was pushed out on the
sides and I'm the center yesterday.
covering more territory. The allies
are falling back slowly before enor-
mously greater number
Aviators reported the activity on
the roads all along the rear of the
German advanced forces as fresh en-
emy divisions are hurried forward to
take the place OF exhausted units
The allied airmen are doing splendid
work. The German aviators are very
numerous In this region and aerial
combats are occurring constantly.
In the central part of the battle
front the enemy. finding that before
him were only tired troops which had
fought day and night since Nor day
was able TO make another leap to-
ward the Marne by penetrating the
thin allied line with small bodies OF
selected men armed with light ma
chine guns. The battle has now de.
veloped almost purely into an infan-
try fight. The artillery I'm action ap-
pears only OF about the same amount
as used on a quiet sector.
South OF scissors the enemy at
tempted n renewal OF his push but
came I'm contact with French troops.
which thrust him back notwithstand-
Ing his employment OF numerous
tanks. The French here executed a
vigorous counterattack which caused
great confusion and losses to Ger
man battalions
In the center the Germans are plac-
Ing great faith In their immense su-
periority OF numbers An added ad-
vantage is that they carry a number
OF light and heavy machine guns.
They evidently are abundantly sup
Piled with ammunition as they keep
their guns going at all times.
Ville-en-Tardenois was a target for
the few cannon they were able to car
ry forward during their rapid ad-
vance. Their incendiary shells start
ed a fire In that town or its imme-
diate vicinity as the correspondent
witnessed large clouds of smoke there.
Farther eastward i'm the vicinity of
Rheims where the united French and
British columns are resisting, the en-
emy appears unable to make any ad-
vance. except when the allies are
ready to recede to readjust their lines
while neighboring troops fall back. In
the allied staff headqua rters visited
by the correspondent the officers are
full Of confidence that the battle soon
VIII turn In the favor OF the allies
Notwithstanding the present great su-
periority OF the German effectives
The spirit OF the allied troops Is mar
velous under the circumstances. The
correspondent saw French and British
battalions who had just come out OF
the terrible struggle. singing along
the road. I'm spite OF their exhaustion
A story just to hand tells OF the
heroic conduct OF three French hat.
talions which were surrounded I'm the
forest OF Pinon Monday They en-
renched themselves. determined TO
resist until the end. Succor could not
be sent them. The last message from
them came Tuesday afternoon at 2
o'clock by carrier pigeon IL said
they would hold out until the last. II
Is probable that when their ammu-
milton became exhausted the survi-
vors were captured.