The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-17
HUN DRIVE CHECKED.
FIERCE BATTLES IN PROGRESS
EAST AND WEST OF
RHEIMS.
American Troops Play Great Part
Break Down Violent Attack of Ene-
my Near Vtux--Sixty.fve Miles In
Fighting F:G.It.
jy Associated Press.


The expected renewal of the Ger
man offensive i'm France has begun.
Fierce battles are in progress on both
sides of the famous cathedral city OF
Rheims. which since the last offensive
along the Narne has stood the apex
of a sharp salient into the German
line.
West of Rheims the Germans with
the pressure of large number Of
troops. the unleashing of which was
preceded by veritable hail of high
explosives and gas shells, have been
enabled to cross the Marne at several
places. East of the city. however
they have been held for the smallest
gains by the tenacious resistance of
the defenders of the line. Altogeth-
er the two battle fronts aggregate
about 65 miles in length.
American troops are fighting vail
antly on the sectors they have been
holding and at two points have met
with notable success At Vaux they
not only broke down violent attack
by the enemy but drove him back
several hundred yards and only re-
turned to their former positions when
the advance of the Germans south
east of Chateau-Thierry across the
Marne made the reoccupation of their
trenches OF strategic value.
Along the Marne between the town
OF Fossoy and the River Surmelin,
where the Germans crossed the
Marine. the Americans in strong
counterattack forced back the enemy
to the right bank of stream. At 9TH
er points along the river they used to
the greatest advantage their machine
guns against enemy elements which
were crossing the river on pontoon
bridges, killing and wounding many
OF them. In the counterattack near
Fossoy between 1000 and 1900 Ger
mans were made prisoner by the
Americans.
The captured contingents included
a complete brigade staff. The French
general in command on this sector
sent a congratulatory message to the
general in command of the American
troops The Germans in addition to
their tremendous expenditure of ex-
plosives and gas shells used numbers
OF tanks against the lines of the de-
tenders and also opened with numer-
Gus naval guns a bombardment Of
towns and cities far behind the battle
line. dropping upon them shells from
10 TO 12 inch pieces.
The details of the strategic scheme
the Germans have i'm view have not
yet been unfolded. 1t seems APP
parent, however, that the main OBJ
jective i'm the first stages of the Of
fensive is the throwing OF their lines
southward on both sides of Rheims
enveloping that city and forcing its
capltulation. The gaining of the
southern bank OF the Marne and the
strengthening out eastward of their
battle line toward Verdun also may
lie i'm the program of the German high
command. Success i'm these move.
ments would be of great strategic
value 10 the Germans if it is intended
by them ultimately TO attempt to drive
on to Paris
While the Germans are making
their drive i'm the south the British
around Ypres are pecking away mt the
German lines with success as regards
the gaining of ground and the taking
ot prisoners; the French and Italians
i'm Albania are keeping up their spec
tacular drive against the Austrians
and the French and Italians I'm the
mountain region of the italian the
alter daily are harassing the enemy
with patrol attacks of considerable
violence and bombardments. In Pal.
estine Turkish and German troops
penetrated British positions north of
Jericho. but almost Immediately were
elected with the loss Of more than 500