The sun., 1918-07-20
GERMANS RALLYING
TO CHECK ATTACK
Enemy Believed to Have Twen-
ty Divisions Back Of
the Lines.
By GERALD CAMPBELL.
Special cable Despatch 10 The sUN from the
London Times.

London Times.
Copyright, 1915: all rights reserved
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY, July 10
are bringing up heavy reenforcements
and much heavy lighting is expected
Although a great many prisoners have
been taken and much war material cap
tured II must be borne in mind that
the Germans have many reserve di-
visions in this sector, probably as many
as twenty kept there. no doubt, TO meet
any counter attack that might develop
tyun their TANKS while the Marine often
sive was In progress.
These reserves have already begun to
enter the line. and for time they held
the French back There has been furi-
Gus hand TO hand fighting. particularly
In the neighborhood OF scissors, on the
southwestern plateau. and between VII
lers Helon,. Noroy and the Ourcq. Tho
latter struggle continued through the
night.
French Holding or Gaining.
+ This morning the French were either
i holding their ground or advancing at
certain points along the front. Clearly.
however, II Is the part OF prudence to
i he prepared for vigorous reaction on
the part OF the enemy. either here or
elsewhere, BY Tomorrow, or even at
the close OF to-day, the enemy probably
will have his maximum resisting strength
marshalled in defence.
/ Although tire battle so far has been in
our favor We are not yet our OF the
woods.
Anything Possible In Open.
Since open warfare began anything
seems possible, even "a surprise attack
on IA big scale. Since the war began
there hasn't been anything so complete
on either side, or anything so extended.
as yesterdays surprise attack by the
, French and Americans. which caught
| the enemy unawares.
At many points officers were snooxing
! in their beds. and at others the fighting
men up carly were setting out to har-
! vest the crops Of rye.
Shortly before the attack began a
! German officer, taken prisoner on the
Marine. was asked by some one (quiie
/ innocentyD II he wasn't afraid there
would be an attack on the German right
| flank while the MIrne battle was In
! progress?
Afraid" he asked. Certainly not
Why should We no afraid? We have
/ positive information that Foch has al
/ ready used up all OF his reserves, so
there NVcidr't he any men left ts at
} tack Us,"
/ The blow caught the enemy mapping
| because there was nothing in the way OF
artillery preparation to announce the at
tack, Among the allied forces there was
no knowledge that the attack was
planned. Only few officers outside Of
! the higher command knew that II even
! was contemplated. The rank and file.
: officers ard men--and this includes
many officers OF very high rank--did not
! know the plans until they received or
! ders to advance.
! One Hundred Big Guns Taken.
! When the advances are all measured
1t will be found. officers believe. that
the territory gained is equal In area
to that gained by the Germans In their
last offensive after long weeks of prep
sration, Not less than hundred big
guns have been taken.
! Yesterday ] talked with Gen. De-
/ goutte commanding the southern army,
and found him well pleased with what
had been Accomplished,
Opposition on this part of the sector