The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-08-05
Germans Retire to North Bank
of Stream-Enemy's FIanks
Turned.
GREATEST BAG FOR ALLIES
Number of Prisoners Captured by En-
tente In Last Two Days VIII Thrill
World When Announced
Alsne Crossed at Several
Polnts-Teutons Flee
on a FiVe-MiIe
Front.

Paris. Aug. 5.-The number Of pris.
oners captured by the allies during the
last two days will thrill the allied
world when announced. The Vesle riv-
er, which was flooded owing to the re-
cent rains, has hampered the German
rear guards, which were unable to ford
lives. The most Of these Germans were
killed and the rest were made prison.
ers. Official announcement of the
number of captives is anxiousIy await.
ed.
Paris, Aug. 5.-The town of Fismes
Germany's great storehouse on the
Aisne-Marne battle front, has been
taken by the French and American
troops, according to the French official
communication Issued here. The
French also have crossed the Vesle a,
several points.
Fismes Won After Hard Fight.
With the American Army on the
Aisne-Marne Front, Aug. 5.-The town
Of Fismes was taken by the American
troops, supported by the French, after
a heavy artillery fight that began In
the middle Of Sunday afternoon.
few Americans entered the town
Saturday afternoon and remained
there all night. but were driven out
early Sunday. The Germans threw
gas shells and shrapnel into the south
ern part Of the town, making it mad
visable for the little party to remain
longer.
On the rest of the front from Reims
to scissors, and far back toward the
Marine, the Americans, French and
British were being concentrated for
the battle of the Vesle.
French Cross VesIe River.
London, Aug 5.-The Germans have
retired to the north bank of the Vesle
and the French have effected four
crossings Of the river, according to in
formation received here. The Ger
mans are resisting stubbornly and
fighting strong rearguard actions.
Foe Retreats on Avre.
Il
Aug. 5-The Germans are retreating
on the left bank of the Avre river be-
tween BOurges and Breaches, north
west Of Montdidier, on a front Of five
miles in extent.
Allied patrols are keeping in contact
with the enemy.
Both FIanks Turned.
Paris, Aug. 5.-Both flanks of the
German forces between Reims and
Scissors appear to have been turned
The French have forced crossing of
the Vesle west of Reims.
Ftsmes is completely surrounded by
American troops. The Germans are re-
tanning a foothold in the extreme
northern part Of the town, where there
is house-to-house fighting.
Crack Prussian guards are Offering
the most desperate resistance to the
Americans.
Germans Rush Reserves.
German re-enforcements are report
ed arriving in the SOissons sector from
the north. The allies continue their
advance, according to latest reports,
although it is held within prudent
limits.
The allied left wing has moved fast
er than the right and further progress
In the SoissOns region might expose
1T to cOunter-attack from the enemy.
Allied forces In pursuit Of the Ger
mans have passed through veritable
charnel houses, strewn with the de-
hris of war. Bodies Of men and
horses are mingled with broken-down
vehicles alongside of monster ammu.
milton dumps, some partially exploded
and others intact.
ALLIES Cross the Aisne.
Bodies of Germans found in clus.
ters beyond the range Of the allied
artillery indicate that severe punish
ment was inflicted on the fleeing col
umns by the French, American and
British aViatOrs.
Allied troops have crossed the Afsne
at several points between Soissons
and Venizel. The German resistance
is faltering on the left wing Of the al
lied advance, while it is growing stub
born and desperate on the right wing,
where the Germans still retain q foot
hold on the southern bank Of the Vesle
between Champlgny and Jonchery,
northwest Of Reims.
Berlin Tells Of Retreat.
Berlin, Aug. 5.-The Germans on
both sides of Albert have retreated
from the western to the eastern bank