The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-17
AMERICANS BEAR
BRUNT OF BATTLE
Fight Beside French and
Bend Enemy Line.

LONDON, July 16.-After a day of des-
perate and furious fighting. the brunt OF
which was borne by the French and
American troops on the Marine. at and
near the point of the old German salient.
It seems clear tonight that the German
offensive in its first stage has been def
nitely checked for the time being.
Not only did the Germans fail TO make
any additional gains. even locally. but
despite the use OF enormous masses OF
troops and attacks repeated time after
time the net result tonight was that the
Americans by brilliant counter attacks
regained the villages OF Fossoy and
Crezancy, while the French, aided by
the Americans. Immediately on their
left rewon st. Agnan and La Chap
pelle- Monthodon. which are close by.
BY these victories the Allies have
greatly improved their positions at the
most critical point i'm the battle front.
To the northeast between Dormans and
Rheims, where the front is held by
French and Italian troops, repeated at
lacks were made by the Germans in eff
forts to extend their gains OF yesterday
but the Allies presented an unbreakable
front and the Germans gained nothing
Meet stone Wall Near Rheims.
Further to the east. in the nelghbor-
hood OF Prunay. which Is six miles east
of Rheims, similar efforts were made by
huge forces Of German troops TO break
or at least bend, the French line. but
here these efforts resulted only in a
minor gain.
The Berlin report tonight asserts that
the Germans have taken $4,000 prisoners
in this drive 1t Is said that the Ger
man infantry stormed the steep slopes
Of nd
their attack bridges were constructed
over the river and a large force crossed.
The Associated Press correspondent
with the French army. telegraphing to-
night, says that Mareuil-le-Port, on the
Marine, was the scene this morning or
terrific fighting, in which French and
American troops were resisting most val
Vanity against heavy odds.
The Germans have crossed the Marine
at various places, giving them control
over twelve miles of the southern bank
Of the stream between GLAND and Ma
reuil-le-Pont.
The town of GLAND lies about two and
one-half miles east Of Chateau Thierry
and Mareul-le-Pont about nine and one
half miles northwest OF Epernay.
This operation cost them dearly. five
bridges being destroyed as the troops
we're passing over, while hundreds OF
thelr men are oeieNeu " na'
deatn from the mach'he guns anu oo'''o'
of aviators.
East OF this point the Germans sue
ceeded in ascending the river about
mile.
Strong columns which crossed the
Marine tried throughout the day TO as
cend the river on both banks toward
Epernay. Their powerful dashes were
met steadily by the French. who con-
tested every foot OF ground.
Battles proceeded simultaneously on
the right and left banks OF the river.
The position is somewhat confused to-
night and II Is diihcuit 10 tell where the
opposing columns are.
The Germans desire by this move
ment evidently TO turn the strong POSI-
ions. Formed ny the Forest and noun
tain. or Rheims from the south, as an
effort at frontal attack would probably
lead TO disaster.
rtnli,n. In IN. H,vht,uy
Other esrce s,ruov,a. vere in rrovr.s.
Forth of the Marine. in Rodemat Wood
ano around Marfaux, Where ltalian
troops are participating.
Several German prisoners when inter-
Fogated. declared they had been told that
TINS offensive wouh ENFORCE the Ger
man conditions OF peace on the Ailes.
Inc oatue mas oeen christened by them
the peace oitehsiVe'
Inc captlVes adueu lhat Inc NUMBER OF
men thTown lHlo tne line Oh TINS occa-
eon was 1uily equai 10 the total forces
t',!iZeu III any ATTACK heretofore MADE
No"ueIe Aiohs the sretch OF many
nihes uiu tne enei"s succeed yesterday
III pehe,' ing more IMAM f,ooo yaros'
anu tnat was oiiy on sfhaii sector IN
.ne ne,shoorhooa OF Martaux' southwest
J INe'IS' al'housh oraerS iouho on
seIi man ptisohsrs announced 'hat the
IIst uag shoulu axe ,nen twenty k'io-
sie,e's run ne front Iine Oh departure
vi 'ne Da''Ie ron. east Oh fneinls the
ehelhs u,u no, even get beyond the ad-
Aeru Ii"e' tl'o li'N,ileioIe resistance OF
.,,e rienei, ''oopS preventing MN from
ne r!e,cn on lle section west OF Rheims
cousn. n''' ',, anu i'a''ah troops; ooth
VI Mnoan s'su With inc o'her A'hes In
German Iosse. Extrsm.,x
Tho at,aoLs ,.hio, o,,,.o, ,.,
,ut vestarday ,Yera condroto, 49, -
roroos -, o., 80 nis Va. VIC
i,oahro n,ho orc dirao,inO e. VI '
-, ,bo ,yo or,,tas ~, -. 10.
,ba f:orn,an Cro,,n pr,ros 80, vans VI
craa, prn,bars % car,,,,e,, -.
nonatnr an ~ ,,nn,o "a - a,
rrnnt &c ,ba Eronsh ra.,,, VIZ ~,
~ nooo,+s Goo ~. ~ , anu a.
narmops 80, - 80, vt .u va,
L.oyv
tn MAIN attach 20 thu oo., -, p,.,
va iSiie'IiiS