The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-08-01
GENERALS DRIVE SOLDIERS
DESPERATE EFFORTS TO CHECK
ALLIES.
American and French in Many Cases
Not Far Behind Retreat
ing Forces.

With the American Army on the
Aisne-Marne Front, July 25.-W1th
the sides of the Soissons-Rheims sack
coming steadily closer together, the
German crown princes generals are
driving their men tnercilessly in an
effort to hold them off long enough
to extricate the armies threatened at
the bottom, north of the Marne.
The American and French troops
are never far behind the retreating
forces, and the vicious rear guard
actions are not sufficiently resistant
to enable the Germans to proceed to
the orderly manner planned.
At Dormans north of the Mar1e
and east of Chateau-Thierry, the
Germans counterattacked, taking the
position, but were promptly driven
out. They occupied Treloup, west OF
Dormans, and have held it.
Minor advances have been made
by the allies in the woods in that part
of the sector while further to the
east south of Rheims, there were ad-
ditional allied successes.
The Americans have occupied
Courpoil on. the road to Fere-en-
vTardenois, and the French positions
have been advanced until Oulchy-le-
Chateau is dominated by the guns.
Nearer scissors the Germans fail
ed to hold all their positions, no.
withstanding reinforcements and
their desperate need.
Heavy German Losses.
It is estimated officially tonight
that the enemy losses are more than
100000, of which $4,000 were in
flicted by the Americans. The pris-
oners alone number over 10000, and
the losses in dead and wounded are
, appalling.
The French used more armored
cars than usual, and calvary or
mounted patrols were effectively en-
ployed~in clearing the forests and
maintaining contact.
i. Towards scissors there has been
increased artillery fighting. The
French and American soldiers dis
regarded caution almost entirely
yesterday advancing their lines in
an open order and taking what came
without bothering to hunt down ma
chine gun nests. This brought them
into closer contact with the main
body of the retreating forces.
In numerous cases machine gun
companies were surrounded although
II. was necessary to clean up many
others. Division headquarters are
constantly changing on account OF
the comparatively rapid advance
ment of the lines. Some of them
have been subjected to occasional
shells, both shrapnel and gas, though
without damage.
Behind the lines long transports
of allied troops fill the roads leading
to the front, the allied planes and OBJ
serving balloons giving warning
against interference by enemy artil-
lery or hostile aircraft. The Ameri-
can troops both on the line and on
the roads are keen spirited. Many of
them having learned smattering OF
French often yell to the French
marching by amusing comments on
ttthe big show"
Invariably the French reply, usu-
ally in language which the Americans
do not understand, although they
shout their approval, no matter what
the words may mean. The Americans
also undertake conversation with the
Anamites whose countenances rarely
change and who never attempt a
reply.
White, Black land Yellow.
LII IAS 1AAC VI oNsS~S
and along roads are white, black and
yellow races in all the units, and the
big machine is moving without knock
or lost motion. Now and then the
color scheme to the rear of the fight
ing lines is broken by column Of
gray clad prisoners, whose appear
ance is always quickly noticed by the
troops who are more accustomed to
the khaki of the Americans and Brit
ish and the blue of the French. In
scores of cases prisoners have begged
their guards to tell when they are to
be shot.
The majority of them, however,
stolidly accept what they believe to
be their fate.
Back of the lines there are dress
ing stations and field hospitals, and
the American wounded are cared for
expeditiously and skillfully in man