The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1918-08-01
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A retreating army hard pressed by |
an alert and aggressive enemy must
abandon material to him. Hundreds
Of field pieces and thousands of ma
chine guns are falling into the hands |
of General Foch as the French and
Americans necessarily harry the Ger |
mans who are retiring toward the
chord of the salient, which was like |
bow bent as far as it would stretch
when the Germans crossed the Marne
m the fifth phase of their offensive.
That salient is now like bow half re-
laxed. The Allies have crossed the
Ourcq west of Fere-en- -Tardenois and
their van has penetrated that town,
which was of so much strategic i'm
! portance to the Germans.
Southeast of Fere the line of the
Allies now runs through Courmont,
Champvoisy, and Passy to Chaumuzy,
on the east side of the salient, where
French and British forces are oper-
ating in the direction of Fismes, mid
way between Rheims and scissors.
Within forty-eight hours, therefore,
the Allies in the south of the salient
have driven forward from three to
seven miles. This is notable
achievement, even if the enemy is
lighting rearguard actions, for much
of the line of advance north of the
Marine lay through dense forests
adapted to the most stubborn defense.
In such terrain it is only intrepid
and well-led troops that gain ground.
But the French and Americans have
done more than gain ground, they
have kept the enemy on the move and
allowed him no rest Prisoners in
great numbers have been taken, but
we must be prepared to hear of heavy
casualties in the ranks of the assail-
ants.
North of Fere there is bitter work
to be done, as the country for some
distance is well wooded. A railway
leading to Fismes is behind the G. r.
mans as they retreat, and they have
the use of two excellent highways,
one running to Braisne and TIE other
into Fismes. Also on the eastern
side Of the salient they are well serv-
ed, with one railway and at least
three excellent highways. These con-
ditions make it doubtful whether
there is any truth in the report that
the enemy is prey to panic 1t is
more likely that his main body is
falling back in fairly good order, al
thoughi he seems to have no aitcrna-
tive but to give way before the ad-
vance of the Allies.
If the Germans could have held
Fere-cn-Tardcnois they would never
have budged from it, for roads radi-
ate in every direction like the spokes
of wheel. General Foch is still
beating them, and they know that his
advance cannot be held until they
take up strong defensive position.
The presumption is that they have de-
cided 30 give battle on the line of the
'river Vesle. In that case, there will
be heavy fighting in the neighborhood
of Braisne and F'ismes when the AL
lies reach the river. Back of the
Vesle some seven miles flows the
Aisne, a larger stream. No doubt the
Germans are preparing positions for
a more determined stand there. I'm
less new divisions from the north are
thrown into the defensive fight they
are making, further disaster seems to
be in store for them. This may fairly
be inferred from the speed with
which the Allies are driving ahead.
| A late bulletin reports them threaten
Ting Ville-en-Tardenois, or physically