The Carlisle independent., 1918-08-01
Fifth German Offensive, on the Marne, Quickly Checked by
 French and Yankees.
START DRIVE OF THEIR OWp
Line North of Chateau Thierry Pusnee Eastward-Huns Lose Heavily in Fierce Fighting East and
 West of 7elus.
By EDWARD w. PACKARD.


 victory by smashing through the al- lies lines has been . dismal and costly failure. The Huns had gained nothing worth mentioning. and had lost perhaps 100000 men. More than that, it ap peared they had lost their last chance to demolish the defenses of the allies, and had sustained defeat thar world play havoc with the morale of Sasir troops and with the support cf the civilian population Of Germany.
 As soon ,as the German offensive seemed safely checked, General Foch took the initiative and put on a drive of his own that sent thrill through all the allied countries. French and American troop2 secretly and careful ly concentrated, were launched ill great attack on a twenty-five mile front between Belleau wood and the Aisne river The enemy was taken completely by surprise, and the allies, following tremendous rolling bar rage, advanced swiftly taking on the first day more than twenty towns and villages, many cannon and large nuIk bers of prisoners. They then were close to Soissons. commanding it with their guns, and were in the outskirts of Neuilly St. Front Culchy, the key to the Chateau Thierry sector. was threatened: many of the railways and roads of supply for the German armies In the south were cut or under shell Ire, and 1t appeared that Ludendorn would have to act quickly snd power fully or be driven entirely out Of the Chateau Thierry salient If not bBek to the Aisne.
 As this is written the battle iB tha; region is still going on, with the Ger man resistance stifened by the brtng. ing up of fresh troops. The Fr9co- American drive at least served to ies sen the Hun pressure on the defensive lines about Reims. though 1T was pre- mature to say that the ancient carhe- dral city would not have to be eyacu- ated, or that the Germans in the Marne district had been beaten to standstill. Severe as was their check. they still had great forces in reserve. 
 This latest German drive. directed by Ludendorff opened early Monday with a tremendous attack at nearly all points along a 65-mile front from Chateau Thierry to Main de Massiges, east Of Reims. The immediate defenses of Reims were not assaulted. but it seemed to be the intention of the Huns to squeeze the allies out of that city and to eliminate the sali- ent there, and then TO force their way on to Epernay and ChalonS The onrush of the first day bent back the allied line in places. but novshere was 1t broken; much Of the lost ground was, speedily regained, and when the second day came to T close it was considered that the offensive had been definitely stopped. None Of it's ob- jectives had been attained, though the German commanders employed about 750,000 men in their fierce attacks yon Bernhardi, the famous Prussian strategist, once said an offensive which is brought to sfan6wlli is con quered offensive, and tHe slltas took that view of the situation
 With pride and gratificstion Amer ica learned of the splendid part played by it's soldiers in this third battle of the Marne. Some 250,oo0 of them were involved, holding especially the sectors just west and east of Chateau Thierry, and they acquitted them selves in a manner that won the un- qualified praise of the French com manders. In the first place, they sus- tained a powerful assault on vaux, west of Chateau Thierry. and though forced out of that village momentarily, they regained possession of 1t by a brilliant counter-attack. Then, far ther to the east. at the Jaulgonne bend of the Marne. they were called On to check a tremendous rush of Huns across the river Their advanced line fell back, the guns all the time slaNghtering the Germans who were trying to get over with pontoons and canvas boats. Then the main line Of defense came into action, changed itself into line Of offense. and swept the enemy back across or into the river, killing great numbers and cap turing about 1900, including 3 com olete brigade staff Eke fighting in that sector continued with great ih- tensity, but the Americans command. ed the river front at the bend.
 On Tuesday the Americans in CO., operation with the French, launched heavy attacks between St Agnan and La ChapelleMonthodon southeast of Jauigonne, where the Germans had succeeded in getting considerable forces across the river. The enemy WIS driven back steadily aRd bstf these villages, as well as others, were recaptured. From Dormans, north ward toward Reitns, ia 8 sector held by Franco-Italian forces, the Huns at first advanced two or three miles,