The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-02-20
BY HURL|NG PICKED VETERANS ON.
ALLIED LEGIONS, THE FOE HOPES TO.
CRUSHAND SMASH THROUGH THE SOUTH.

Washington, Feb. 20.-After ex-
tensiye preparations, silently and
Systematically carried on, it is ap-
parent that both the Teutons and
the allies are ready for the long ex-
pected offensive in the west, Secre-
tary Baker says today in his review
OF military operations ior the week
ending Feb. 10.
while there have been outward
ly no new developments in the mill
tary situation in the west during the
period under review" says the com
munique, yet it is apparent that
both the enemy and the allies, after
extensive preparations which have
been silently and Systematically car
ried on, are ready for battle. The
Germans have recently withdrawn a
number of their veteran west front
units from the first line trenches and
are busily training them in mobile
warfare.
According to adyices received
the German general staff hopes that
by masslng large number of these
picked shock battalions, which have
been intenSiyely trained, they may
be able to deliver crushing blow
Many Enemy Units Unframed.
The bulk of the German forces
are now assembled in the west. But
large number of these units are
wholly untrainde in the method OF
western front warfare, which differs
radically from that conducted along
other fronts. Furthermore, the Ger
man higher command realizes fully
that their forces will meet with far
more difficult tactical obstacles than
any hitherto encountered by an at
tacking army. A break through was
possible in Russia only after the
morale of the Russians had been
undermined the same was true in
Italy, and we witnessed how speed
lily the Italian line was mended.
During the week there has been
much activity of minor character
along the entire western front.
AS has already been announced.
In Lorraine, segment of the line is
entirely under the control of our
forces. Along our front patrol ell
counters were numerous. The Ger
mans undertook a raid against our
positions, and succeeded in inflict-
Ing few casualties A small Amer
lean patrol, while scouting in NO
Mans Land, was ambushed by the
enemy.
Trenches Are Wet.
The weather was rainy during
the first part of the week, and our
troops were busy manning pumps
in an effort to keep their trenches
dry. Later, clear weather prevailed
and hostile aircraft made frequent
flights to reconnoiter our positions.
A marked Improvement in our anti.
aircraft barrage is reported. Artil-
lery duels took place and the Ger
mans showered our lines with gas
shells, which, however, caused 10
casualties, owing to efficient gas
mask protection.
in Champagne units of Amcri-
can artillery participated in an en-
gagement undertaken by French
forces. This operation was the most
important of the week in the west.
After very careful artillery prepara-
ton, during which our batteries CO.
operated successfully, French in
tantry advanced to the assault
southwest of the Butte du Mesnil,
along a front of about 1,4OO yards.
The French, succeeding in pcne-
trating the German positions, broke
through the second and reached the
third German line. During the brisk
attack the French destroyed many