Evening star., 1918-07-19
ADVANCE BY FOCA
DAzES THE ENEMY
Attack by Franco-American
Forces Catches the Ger
mans Unaware.
VIOLENT STORM AN AID

BY the Associated Press.
ON THE FRENCH FRONT IN
FRANCE. July 1s.-when the en-
tente allies attack began at dawn to-
day the Germans were surprised and
vanced lines. many Immediately
throwing up their arms and shouting
! "kamerad."
The barrage fre preceded the waves
OF infantry. but one of the heaviest
storms of this year drowned the noise
of the shells.
Most of the Germans had taken
shelter in their dugouts from the
deluge, and the entente allied troops
were among them with grenades and
bayonets before they had time to turn
around.
Many prisoners are coming in.
The entente allied troops are dis
playing the utmost fervor in the at
tack, their desire being to strike a
strong blow in return for the recent
German assault.
Taste Of own Medicine.
It Is the first, occasion this year
that the entente allies have counter
attacked on such a big front Their
operation directly affects the position
Of the German western flank and
probably will cause the German
crown prince to hurry some of his re-
serves to the scene Of the fighting
from the Marne and the Champagne.
where yesterday and today every
thing was quiet
The Germans have widely an
nounced that their armies were en-
gagged in an offensive war movement.
This operation gives them the other
side of such warfare. in which the al
lies have taken the initiative.
The allied commander-fn-chief had
permitted the enemy to exhaust a
large portion of his forces in striking
which were intended to be heavy
enough to weaken the French army.
The blow was successfully parried and
before the Germans recovered suf-
ficiently to fill the great gap in their
ranks and make another effort, the
them with a lfghtning-like diversion
from the Marne to the Aisne.
Thousands Of prisoners. scores of
cannon. hundreds of machine guns
and much other material fell into the
hands Of the allied troops. Besides gain
ing possession Of the heights dominating
Soissons from the south a couple dozen
villages were 'reconquered by the al
lies. who. tonight were. engaged in
severe fighting which disconnected the
enemy along the whole line from Cha
teau Thierry to scissors.
Attack Absolute Surprise.
The French attack along
the broad front north of the Marine
was an absolute surprise. Many Ger.
man officers were captured while
asleep, and numbers Of the men were
taken while harvesting rye The
greatest stupefaction was created
the lines at the suddenness of the at
tack. Some of the prisoners declare
they had been told that it was inn
possible for the allis to carry out any
operation in the way of an offensive
for some time, :
Many tanks participated In the at
tack, having been able to take up
their positions during the terrific
storm which prevailed.
The American troops, cooperating
with their French comrades in the
Around vourchamp. northwest of
Chateau Thierry. the German re-
sistance was more obstinate than on
any other part Of the Paris line. In
this region the allies captured eight
cen cannon, numerous machine guns
and large numbers of prisoners, who
have not yet been counted.
The allied troops showed wonderful
spirits and advanced singing. A bat
talon of infantry crossed the River
Savieres breast-high In water.