Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-22
FOES N ASS
TRIED army
FOR ATTACK
Veteran Shock Troops Will
Be Used BY Germans In
Impending Assault On
Western Front, Says Bak-
er's Review.

AMERICANS HELP
FRENCH IN RAIDS
Washington, D. c.. Feb. 2O.-Afterf
extensive preparations it is apparent
that both the Germans and the allies
are ready for the long expected often
sive in the west, Secretary Baker says
today in his review of military opera
lions for the week ending Febru-
airy is.
while there have been outwardly
no new developments in the military
situation in the west during the period
under review" says the communique,
yet 1t is apparent that both the enc
my and the allies, after extensive pre-
parations which have been silently
and systematically carried on, are
ready for battle. The Germans re-
Gently have Withdrawn a number OF
their veteran west front units from
the first line trenches and are busily
training them in mobile warfare.
FOES MASS SHOCK TROOPS
According to advices received, the
German general staff hopes that by
massing large number Of these
picked shock battalions which have
been intensively trained, they may de-
liver crushing blow.
s'The bulk of the German forces are
now assembled in the west. But a
large number of these units are who'll
~ unframed in the method of western
front warfare, which differs radically
from that conducted along other
fronts. Furthermore, the German
higher command realizes fully that
their forces will meet with far more
difficult tactical obstacles than any
hitherto encountered by an attacking
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 wit
messed how speedily the Italian line
was mended.
AMERICAN FRONT ACTIVE
During the week there has been
much activity of minor character
along the entire western front.
GAS has been announced, in Lor-
raine segment of the line is entirely
under the control of our forces. Along
our front patrol encounters were num-
erous. The Germans undertook
raid against our positions and sue
ceeded in inflicting few casualties.
A small American patrol while scout
ing in No Mans Land was ambushed
by the enemy.
"The weather was very rainy during
the first part of the week and our
troops were busy manning the pumps
In an effort to keep their trenches dry.
GAS MASKS EFFICIENT
Later clear weather prevailed and
hostile aircraft made frequent flights
to reconnoiter our positions A marked
Improvement in our anti-aircraft bar
rage is reported. Artillery duels took
place and the Germans showered our
lines with gas shells, which have caus-
ed no casualties owing to the efficient
Gas mask protection.
I'm Champagne units of American
artillery participated in an engage
ment undertaken by French forces.
This operation was the most impor-
tant Of the week in the west After
very careful artillery preparation, dur
ing which our batteries co-operated
usefully, French infantry advanced to
the assault southwest of the Butte du
AeSnil, along front of about 1,4O0
yards. The French, succeeding in
penetrating the German positions,
broke through the second and reached
the third German line During this
brisk attack the French destroyed
many enemy shelters, inflicted much
damage to enemy positions besides
bringing back $50 prisoners.
TWELVE RAIDS SUCCEED
"Other successful raids were under
taken by French detachments in the
vicinity of the Chemin des Danes,
oast of Rheims in Upper Alsace and
elsewhere. In all the French drove
forward twelve very fortunate recon
noissance undertakings along different
parts of the line. German units also
we're active. Their attempts to reach
the French lines were temporarily
successful in the vicinity of Bezon.
vaux and in Alsace. However, seven
German raids at various other points
broke down. French artillery kept
the enemy constantly engaged along
widely scattered area
"The British front also was the
scene of numerous minor engage.
ments. No important actions took
place and the enemy, evidently was
busy with the grouping of units and
disposing fresh forces recently arrived
from other theaters in the front line.
I'm the Italian theater the enemy
has again assumed an aggressive atti.
tude."
I ARABS JOIN BRITISH
1.-The concentration of an important
body of German cavalry in the vicin-
ity of Riga is noted and it is believed
that the Germans may find it expe-
dient to advance on Petrograd. 1t is
difficult to determine the exact status
of affairs in southwestern Russia. The
Russian contingents are evacuating
the Armenian centers south of the
Black sea which are being reoccupied
with Turkish detachments. Trebizond
probably soon will fall into Turkish
hands.
ut is important to record that large
contingents of Arabs are joining the
forces of the Sheik at Mecca, who IS