The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-02
Allies Take Crest of Ourcq-
Aisne Watershed.
Is Long Ridge, Which Is About
800 Feet High.
COMMANDS GATE OF SALIENT
May. Be Most Important Gain
Since Huns Left Marne.
Germans Must Retire Fast and
Probably Beyond VesIe.

London, Aug. q Yesterdays
Franco British attack on the westerly
side of the Marne salient was On a
front of five miles and penetrated TO
a maximum depth of three miles. ac-
cording to news received today. It re-
suited in the capture of the entire
ridge which forms the watershed be-
tween the Ourcq and the Aisne, the
advices indicate.
The French also captured the entire
Meuniere wood. on the line to the
north of Goussancourt, at about the
center of the salient.
The advance Dy the allies along the
western side of the salient is described
as extremely mportant-possibly the
most important thing the allies have
accomplished since the Germans re-
tired from the Marine.
The importance of the victory. It is
explained, lies in the fact that the
whole area to the northward and take
in flank and rear the entire western
gate thru which the Germans have
been retiring
This area is a nest of German re-
serves and field artillery.
GousSancourt, on the other side of
the salient, itself has been taken by
the French. the advices add.
Germans Must Hurry.
The capture OF the important ground
on the heights to the westerly side of
the line, also means that the Germans
viii not be able to retire in an or
thn{. Gh1narlly lelsurely manner and that
tney probably will have to go beyond
the river Vesle in their retreat.
The situation is considered as ex-
traordinary good and is described in
the advices as the turning point oe the
summer campaign and possible the
whole war.
Paris, Aug. 2.-AIlied troops cele-
brated the fourth war anniversary to
the surprise of great many who mad
believed the battle had entered into
one of its periodical luIls.
incidentally the official statement
on the total of prisoners. more than
53,O0O brings out forcibiy the extra
ordinary change in the situation
snort month has effected On the
first of July the allies, to reverse Wal
pole famous pi rase, were almost
wrlnglng their hands; now they would
be Justified in ringing bells.
Inc ground IN yesterday north of
the Ourcq has considerable value. It
is long spur about 500 feet high
forming the watershed between the
Crise and the Ourcq and is a valuable
observation point. From it. the Ger
mans prevented the allies from seeing
the Crise, while. they overlooked the
ground won from them on the Ourcu.
Ihe allies stOrmed not only the sum-
NIT but the northern slope of this
terrain.
Can Now Maneuver Safely.
AS a consequence they can now
maneuver safely in the Ourcq region.
In addition the have a view behind
the great Hartennes plateau, where
the enemy still elm along the Sois-
sons-Chateau Thierry road and that
strong position difficult of attack
frontally. can now be turned from the
north thru Villemontoire and from the
south by way of Hill 2O5
The allies also Coined an important
advantage on the left in the capture
of Meuniere wood by the Americans,
giving them a position which accord
ing to Henri Bidou is th keystone of
the whole German line in the center.