The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-06-14
Germans Are Hurled Back by
Foch's Troops With Terri
flying Losses.
Counter-Attack Drives Enemy Across
the River MATT, 900 Prisoners
and Many Guns Taken by Al.
lies-Civilians Evacuate
City Menaced by Shell
E,.>

thrust southwark from Noyon, with
Compeigne as the prize, appears to be
absolutely spent, while the flanking as
ward the forest Of Villers Cotterets is
halting on the edge OF this forest, with
nothing but terrifying casualties to
show for an advance of not more than
three miles.
Allies counter-Attack Heavy.
What is more, the allies lines not
only are holding, but are reacting with
such violence that the enemy has been
thrown back In places, his divisions
disorganized. the morale Of his men
Enthusiastically falling below the fighting
ebb, and no chance Of plowing forward
unless he Is willing to pour in more
thousands.
The much coveted high ground be-
tween Courcelles and Merry, which the
French hold, and from which they are
pouring devastating fire on the Ger
man lines Of communication, led the
Germans to essay another great as
sault It was total failure.
French Slaughter Foe.
Just as the enemy ranks had been
formed and the men were charging the
French artillery caught them In the
open. and literally tore the organiza-
tions to pieces. The Germans not. only
did not reach the French positions but
turned and fled to the point of depar-
ture, leaving q wake of dead and
wounded.
In the French center, southwest of
Noyon General Eoch earlier in the day
loosed counter-attack which fairly
swept the Germans off their feet The
French lunged forward apparently at
q time when hostile attack was In
the making and the engagement near
ly approached rout for the enemy.
Advance Costs Foe 10000.
In the Scissors sector, where the
Germans are making a simultaneous
bid for COmpiegne, along the north
edge Of the forest of Villers COtterets,
the enemy made some progress, about
three miles westward, along front Of
seven or eight miles--at an estimated
expenditure OF 10000 men.
Enemy Hurled Across Matx.
General Foch's men ripped through
the advanced enemy ranks, capturing
some 1000 men, and ten or more pieces
OF artillery, some of them heavy guns,
and the Germans were thrown across
the River Matz, where now they are
presumably recognizing their shatter-
ed units on the north bank.
Civilians Leave colnpefQne.
The French are ,evacuating the
civilian population at Oompeigne. dis
patches from the front deciere, but
this does not disturb Paris. The Ger
mans are about seven miles away from
this strongly held town. but at that dis
tance they are easily in gun range.
Consequently 1t has been held expedi-
ent to get the noncombatants cut.
French Statement
Paris, June 1.-THE war Office is
sued the following statement:
During the course Of the day the
Germans launched powerful counter
attack from Courcelles to the north of
Merry (Montdidier sector). Caught un-
der the fire Of our guns, the assauiting
troops were net able to reach our posi-
tions, but were obliged to retreat to
their line of departure after having
suffered very heavy losses.
1.-THE material captured in our at.
tacks June IL included ten cannon
four Of them heavy pieces, and q
large number Of machine guns.
Between the Disc and the Aisne the
day was calm.
ION the Aisne the enemy continued
during the morning his thrust between
the Aisne and the forest of Villers Cot.
terets. He was repulsed at the ma.
jOrity of points, but succeeded In gain.
ing foothold in the village Of LAYER.
sine. All attempts to debauch from
Coeuvres and to advance west Of Verte
Feuille farm completely failed. The
enemy was not able to renew his at
tackS.
I'm the afternoon, north Of Corey
the enemy who had penetrated oul
lines momentarily was driven out anC
We established our positions In theil
entirety.
''The artillery fighting was quite
spirited In the region of the Ourcc
river near Champlat and Pompelle
Quiet prevailed on the rest OF thu
front"
The text OF an early statement to3