Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-04-09
Germans Use 100000 Men
In Attack on French

WITH THE FRENCH ARMY in
FRANCE, Sunday, April 7.-(By the
Associated Press.)-Twenty-ti divi-
sions (2S0, 900 mem have been used by
the Germans in the last four days III et-
forts to break through the French line
and reach the railroad running south
from Amiens. All attacks have been
checked by the wonderful resistance of
the French, some of whom were thrown
into the line as soon as they arrived on
the battlefield.
The Germans are obtaining only signi-
ficant results in their attempts to adj
vance, considering the number of troops
engaged, as the German force is at
least three times as great as the num-
Der of French defenders.
The checrfulness and confidence with
which the French troops so into action
is rema rkable. They fel they are bet
ter than the enemy and make light of
the German superiority in numbers. The
French command continues TO work on
the principle Of using the smallest pos
sible number Of troops TO stay the Ger
man rush. thus retaining the reserves
Cor possible attacks some place else.
Powerful trench mortars have made
their appearance behind the German in
fantry, but up TO this time have not
influenced the situation to any extent
and in some places the guns have been
range. on the other hand, an enormous
number OF machine guns pour an in
tense barrage into the Frnch lines
and at the same time the German in
fantry attempts under cover of this
fire to get close to the French line
in small groups and establish pockets
from which TO leap forward at the
proper moment.
This procedure was quickly neutraliz-
ed By the French. aud the Germans
are now resuming nIasscd attacks in
which their men come under the direct
fire OF French machine guns, rifles,
grenades and as, which inflict terrible
losses. The 75's do terrific execution,
cutting wide lanes through the enemy
ranks.
The enemy comma nders appear to
pay little attention to this slaughter,
their aim being TO reach the objective
whatever the cost.
Late last night the enemy again At
tackled in the region Of G"ivcsnes, but
we're repulsed sanguinarily and forceG
back to their own lines with greatly
diminished numbers. Further south, 'E
the vicinity Of Noyon, they at FIRST
succeeded in entering the French posi-.
tons. Later, after the most severe fight.
ing. they were compelled 30 retreat,
leaving the situation unchanged.
Mont Renaud, near Noyon. saw no
peated attacks from the Germans
throughout Saturday, but all were equal
/ ly futile The hill was the first point
Z where the French barred the German ad-
4 vance through the Disc valley toward
/ Compiegne and Paris. When the Gec-
| mans first swept down from Noyon the
| hin changed hands repeatedly. The
! ground thereabouts shows striking eyi
/ dence of the fearful nature of the BATH
/ in the number of German bodies tina;
/ can be seen.
Since March so. the French have nc.
I budged. In fact. they have gained SOM
ground on the northern slopes of the
! hill. The Germans occupied two hills
| overlooking Mont Renaud which possess
| little practical value. although they al
| ford view OF what is going on ia
: Noyon and slightly beyond that town.
Further eastward along the Disc, the
/ French fell back Saturday from the dan.
! gerous 50 lent north of AmiSny. Fightinc
/ all the way, they retired to better posi-
/ lions which had been prepared along
/ the Ailette river.