The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1918-07-18

IA eitOiA DPSV HpiaNS'
Simultaneous with the drive on the
sO-mile front between Chateau-Thierry
and Main &c Mass,ges, the Germans
attempted a formidable attack on the
Ourcq toward Ia. Fere-Milon Us miles
northeast OF Chateau Thicrry). They
encountered n crushing parrage and
were unable to debouch from their W
| positions.
The main drive p to oe an at
tempt by General Gallwitz's army,
which previously has not been en-
gagged in the German offensive. to con-
verge upon Chalons ga miles south.
east OF Rhe.ns) from several points.
There are numerous apparent rea-
sons for the enemy drive, aside from
the immediate objective OF Chalons. 1t
Is obviously Il part Of the attempted
advance toward Paris. Tho enemy also
hopes TO AXE Rheims, which already Is
surrounded on three sides. And. evil
IDENTIFY, Won Gallwitz is seeking to en-
largo the salient created in the pre-
vious Marno drive.
London. July 16.--The Germans have
crossed the Marine at several points in
their new drive, 1t was learned author!-
tatively here this afternoon.
french positions have baen pere-
trated at some points 10 the depth OF
5000 yards (nearly three miles,.
Some villages have been captured.
The main attack, IL is added. seems
to be in the Champagne.
n advices 10 this effect came TO the
Central News.
Paris, July 15.--A new offensive by
the Germans was begun late last night
in the region between Rheims and the
Argonne.
The struggle is proceeding on y front
OF about 50 ktlometers Approximately
80 miles.
On the front between Chateau Thier-
ry and the Main De Massiges, the Ger
mans attacked this morning, the war
office nounce The French are meet
ing the shocks Of the enemy attack
with energy, and the battle continues.
BY Associated Press.
Thirty-three days after they were
halted in their plunge toward Com
peigne along the west bank of the Disc,
the Germans today launched a new
phase of their offensive by attacking
from -Thierry to Malson e
Champagne, north of Massiges and
farther east of Rheims, over a front Of
about 65 miles in length.
Latest reports state that the Ger
mans have crossed the Marine at sew
Sioi pitSCSJ pioudbiy pSl"SSii III
teau-Thierry and Dormans.
American troops are engaged in the
battle In this particular region n re-
ports say they are handling the enemy
we'll" They broke up the German
drive in the VauX region west Of Cha
teau-Thierry by a dashins counter at
tack.
Front IS Miles Lena.
So FAR as the length Of the line Is
concerned, the present drive Is the
greatest Of the year. Measurements of
the line where fighting is known TO
be going on, show that it is los kilo-
meters, or G5.1 miles long. The at
tack against the Cambria front on
March 81 vas over a front Of SIS miles.
Last night a terrible artillery fire
was loosed against the allied lines from
Chateau-Thierry, on the west, to Mai
son de Champagne, north OF MassiGes.
on the east.
For hours the entente allied lines
were under q tempest of the most tre-
| mehdous character.
1t had been expected that the Ger
man main effort would be against the
| line from the Marine to the Asine, north
| of Chateau Thierry. in the Plcardy
| sector towards Abbeville or farther
| north in the Lys sector against the
! allies have been daily improving their
lines and preparing for the new drive.
But the Germans chose q sector
which, except for a surprise attack
around Rheims late in June, a been
quiet since the offensive launched o.
the Aisne May q came to a standstill.
The Germans hold the north bank
: OF the Marine for a distance OF about
20 miles east of Chateau Thierry.
Their line leaves the Marine near the
village Of Dormans n runs Off to the
northwest TO Rheims, where it turns
abruptly to the southeast n runs
down the valley Of the Vesle river to
the village Of La Pompelle, where il
turns eastward and runs in a relatively
straight line to Verdun. Maiscn de
Champagne, the eastern limit OF the
present battle, is 81 miles west of
yerdun.
The only other fighting of moment
reported from the front has occurred
on the Where's BretoEneuX sector in
front Of Amiens, where the British
have improved their positions.
Official reports relative. to the grand
| offensive show that it is the most am
bilious stroke since March q, when
the Germns launched their assault
against the British lines from the vicin-
fly Of Arras to La Fcre. The front IL.
that offensive was reported 10 be about
IS miles in length.
The Germans followed their most re-
cent tactics of beginning an offensive.
There was n brief intense artillery
preparation and then the advance OF
assault troops.
Using Naval Guns.
There seems. however, to have been
a new feature in this attack. Grea:
! naval guns had been brought up beh.aI
| the enemy lines and towns n cities
| FAR behind the actual battle area were
| taken under bombardnlent.
The apparent purpose OF the Germans
ATTACKING alcng the line from Chateau
Thierry east along the Marine to Rheims
I and thence eastward to NasSigeJ was
| similar to that in the great attack along
the Aisne late in May. They evidently
hoped to find the allies less well pre-
/ pared in this sector thaH elsewhere.
The Germans seem to nope foc Gains
which would compel an al'ierl retire
mept from the Verdun ana ST. Mih!e!
sectors.
The north bank of the Marine Is held
by the Germans for ON 20 miles east
frora Chateau Thierry. \ successful
attack in tho Rheims area might force
the allies back further east OF tho
Mnrna anil rive the Germans coin