The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-13

enemy will md his present line from
Noyon to Ham to Nesle tenable. During
the day the French took possession OF
l. Echelle st. Aurln, three miles directly
west OF Roye. The new French line ex-
tends through Armancourt and Tilloloy,
three miles southwest OF Roye. thence to
Curry, which Is eleven miles southeast OF
Montdidier. and from there TO the
Montigny Quarry northwest OF Rips-
court, on the Disc.
As an indication OF the measure OF
the German resistance allied officers
counted as many as $50 German air
planes above the battlefield to-day. II
was also announced that shells from big
guns had begun to fall far back OF the
allied lines. Trench mortars also have
been brought up and two German tanks
were observed In action behind the lines
at ouesnoy.
There lie considerable speculation In
the allied capitals concerning the loca :
ton OF. Marshal Foch's next blow. which
all the military critics believe will be
launched just as soon as the allied chief
Is convinced that German reserves are
moved UP In suficient strength TO
stabilize the present battle zone. The
Germans are showing great anxiety
around Arras. as though expecting an
attack there.
The Associated Press correspondent
with the French army says although the
Germans have been reinforced with
both artillery and infantry and are
resisting moro strongly between the Avrs
and the Disc their fresh divisions have
been unable to entirely stop the advanc-
ing French, who now have a Arm hold
upon the Thiescourt plateau. South Of
Roye and northwest Of Noyon the French
hold positions which command the only
roads lea ding from Roye and Ribecourt
toward !Joyon over which the enemy
can withdraw his artillery.
The increasing difficulties attending
their retreat are driving the Germans to
desperate sacrifices In their efforts to
check the Allies advance around the po-
sitions the Germans hold on Thiescourt
plateau. Their losses are extremely
heavy, and their dead lie all over the
field. They are found In shellholes and
hooks where they vainly eought protec-
ton from the French fire. Among them
are some survivors. who are foued IN
every possible hiding place.
Enemy Eating Horses.
Pr.vations were endured by the Ger
mans In the front line recently. This
was picturesauely evidenced by let
ter found since the offensive began. II
relatives In Germany that the French
artillery had been furnishing the only
meat available by killing horsea An
other ofiicer wrote with pride and salts
faction that ne was able to send along
with his message of love and hope
sack OF wheat he had just CLEANED from
an adjoining feld.
A German wireless operator was
found at the bottom of a well after the
positions As an evidence OF the haste
with which the enemy withdrew 1t may
be said that the entire mail of one reg!-
ment made up for transmission TO Ger
many was captured at Ressons-slr-
Matz
One Of the German divisions which
suffered most heavily in the Picardy
fighting was the Fifth Bavarian. which
was hurried from Arras to Lihons and
was overrun BY the advance, losing so
many In killed and prisoners within an
hour or two of Its arrival that II was Of
little use afterwari.
Division Wiped Ont.
The Forty-ar.t Division no longer ex-
lists, and some of the smaller units
were annihilated. Prisoners to TIE
number Of SIS were taken from the
Twenty-eighth Infantry Regiment, and
its two remaining companies, kept in re-
serve. were surprised later in Framer-
willie and. all killed or captured.
The 243d Division wars thrown in
north of the Somrne just too late to
check the British rush and many from
it were captured.
Fighting has been resumed along the
Vesle front which is held by the Ameri-
cans and the French. The Germans
made two strong counter attacks on the
north bank Of the river in the vicinity
Of Fsmes. which Is held by the Ameri-
cans. The attacks were repulsed. 1t Is
evident that tho Germans are preparing
TO attempt to hold their line here and
prevent so long as possible retreat to
the Aisne or the Chemin des Danes, the
next natural line of fertilization to the
north.