The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-06-10
ENEMY MEETS
WITH Stern
RESISTANCE
FROM ALLIES
Deepest Penetration Report
ed Is Approximately Two
and Three-quarters Miles
Foe Losses Enormous.
WINGS HOLD FIRMLY
(By Associated Press)

SAoV pa SoS
attended by losses described as
enormous, is being made by the
Germans in their latest efforts
to break the allied front in
France.
The advance against line from
Noyon to the eastern suburbs of
Montdidier, coming quickly after
the force of the offensive on the
Aisne has been spent, has en-
countered stern resistance and
it is only comparatively short
section of the line that the
enemy has made appreciate
gains. The deepest penetration
reported SO far is approximately
two and three quarters miles.
1t has been believed since the
drive toward Amiens stopped
that General Foch has the great
er bulk of his reserves in or near
the area that is now being at
tackled. Not only are these
troops withing striking distance
of the front, but there are nat
ural obstacles which also multi
ply against the entire success of
the German assaults. The high
hills which now are the scene of
heavy fighting are but outposts
of the positions which are pre-
pared along the Disc river, which
bisects the field upon which the
battle will be fought if the first
lines of defense are over
whelmed.
"Pincer" System Used Again
The present assault on the line east
Of Montdidier may be considered as
a complement of the offensive along
the Aisne. and when the map is stud
led 1t will be seen that the "pincer'
system followed by Mackensen in Rus
sia, Serbia and Rumania is again at
work. If the thrust just west of Noyon
succeeds In gaining extensive ground
it will approach the line from scissors
to Chateau Thierry and retirement
from the positions taken up by the
allies would be forced.
On the other hand if the drive gains
ground further west it will outflank
the positions held by the French and
Americans at Montdidier and compel
their retirement with the resultant un-
covering of Amiens.
Wings Holding Firmly
According to advices from the front
the Germans have thrown more than
100000 men against the line, which
measures a little over 90 miles in
length. This does not equal the num-
bers hurled against the British before
Cambria on March 21, nor is it such
a concentration of men to the mile as
was used at the inception OF the Ger
man offensive in Flanders In April,
but 1t is a menacing force to which
may be added at any time the full
weight of the German reserves which
are believed to be massed somewhere
near.
Americans Progressing
American and French troops oper-
ating northeast of Chateau Thierry
repulsed German attacks last night and
made new progress.
German attempt to assault the
British positions at Ayally wood north
of Albert was repulsed, while British
raid near Bethune northwest Of Lens.
was successful.
Anticipated Attack.
Allied commanders had anticipated
that the enemy would attack on this
sector, with the hope, probably. of
pushing it back and connecting up the
salients which ended near Montdifier
and Noyon. French opinion is that
the first day was satisfactory. The
French reserves on the sector are still
intact.
In the center the German attacking
waves reached Ressons-sur-Matz and
Mareuil about three miles apart.
marking an advance of 2@ miles.
Paris reports this advance as "mur-
derous" for the Germans On the left
wing the most the enemy could gain
was about one-third of mile. while
on the right he was checked after
crossing the first. or covering line"
of the French defense.
Berlin's full report on the first days
fighting will be delayed "a hours. as
is customary. Its latest statement
mentions the capture of the heights of
Curry. Immediately behind the first
French line and north of Mareuil.
Strive for Paris Road.
The Germans, In attempting to push
back the allied line between Montdid-
ier and Noyan, face not only strong
natural obstacles in the form Of large
forests on high elevations, but also
determined French resistance Evi
IDENTIFY the Germans are striving for
Compiegne, on the road to Paris. II
the right wing gives way, or for Ami
ems and the separation Of the French
and British main armies II the left
flank can be thrust backward far
enough.
Whether the Germans are attacking
here in as great or greater strength
than against the Chenlin des Danes
on May 81 is not yet clear II the
tactical advantage gained by the ad-
vance on the Noyon Rheims front is
to be realized to the full, the salient
there must be Widpned toward thu