The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-31
GOING EVER FORW ARD.
FORCES OF CROWN PRINCE NOW
FALLING BACK PRECIPI-
TATELY
Allies Gradually Get Possession OF
Whole Road Between DOrmans and
Rhciins-Tank Crews and Cavalry
Play Important Part Against Flee
ing Huns.

lnS HUNS.
With the French Army on the
Aisne- Marine Front, July % (By the
Associated Press) Entente allied pa
trols pushing ever forward have reach
ed the southern bank of the river
| Ourcq. This morning was extreme
ly quiet along the center of the salient
where the Germans were not Offering
great opposition.
| On both wings, however, the great
est activity prevails. The enemy has
massed many heavy guns to the north
OF scissors on the heights around
Juvigny and Chavigny, whence they
bombarded with an enflading fire the
western wing as far south as Oulchy-
le-Chateau. Notwithstanding this bonn
| bardment the Allies in the Oulchy-le-
| Chateau region are making some
progress, although they are faced by
the Germans best divisions and the
concentrated fire of numerous machine
guns.
ON the eastern wing the Allies grad
uaily are obtaining command of the
| whole road leading from Dormans to
Rheims. ON this side also the Ger
| mans have assembled a great force
of artillery in the neighborhood of st.
Thierry northwest of Rheims. These
guns cover the German left flank and
consequently make the progress slow
er for the Allies.
The retreat of the German Crown
Princes forces along the whole Marine
'front.' has reached a more precipitate
phase. At some places the Germans
nave fallen back for q distance Of
9eVerai miles. French and American
troops are harrying the retiring
.orces on the center while French and
british troops are hammering at both
llanks.
Cavalry and tanks in considerable
numbers have succeeded in getting in
lmong the retiring Germans, while
alrplanes are bOmbarding their col
umnS on the march,
The incessant smashing blows night
and day of the entente Allies left the
enemy nothing to do but to retreat or
lie iii his positions. Even their sud
len retirement has not relieved the
Germans from constant marrying.
In addition to the slashing of the
CaValry and the pounding of the tanks |
he lives of the German rear guards |
are being made precarious by entente |
infantry patrols. Meanwhile Allied |
tviators daringly fly few hundred |
eet overhead bombarding and ma !
chine cunning the German batteries |
nd columns on the march. The tank |
'reys have been heroes in chase and |
ever since the commencement OF the |
iernan retreat they have done re-
narkable work. After breaking up |
he enemy front line and preparing the |
'aY TO- an advance Of infantry the |
;anKs have throughout continued t. |
exploit the success gained
Some tanks have even attacked the |
enemy artillery batteries and killed |
III the gunners thus permitting the |
nfantry to capture many of these |
Weapons.
There is not tank in the section o.
'anks which has taken part in the |
lighting that has not from Is to 20 |
machine guns to its credit. Most pris- |
0ners declare that the losses caused |
W the tanks have been terrible.
The line where the German with
draWal has attained its greatest depth |
IS north of Chateau-Thierry The |
tepth from that point gradually be |
ONES narrower until it is quite small! |
IN nearing the eastern pivot on the |
.ront southwest of Rheims. Both here
md around Scissors, the other pivot |
he ground is admirably suited foY
defense. In the vicinity of these. two
)oints the Germans have concentrated
most of their artillery and large
:orces Of infantry, knowing that if a
breach is TO be made at either place
by the Allies a great majority of the
German troops occupying the remain
der Of the pocket must be sacrificed.
On the banks of the Marne south o.
jhe center of the salient not a single
live German remains. Their sudden
retreat here was brought about by the
constant pressure of the French
americans and British. Allied troops
have kept constantly on the heels OF
he enemy and some patrols have ad-
Fanced considerable further than the
inc indicated.
The method of retirement adopted
~ the enemy consists of first retiring
ne company Of every two companies
hen two sections from the remaining
company. Then the last section with
lraWs. leaving only a few men with
Machine guns to cover the retreat
These men often are sacrificed, but
OmctimeS they manage to rciOin their
comrades and the mancuVcr is re
pcatcd
City Council has changed the hour