Norwich bulletin., 1918-07-16
lRr The Associated Prezsl

AA. AAN -1sNll Ia NtA AGsfosf The expected renewal of the Ger man offensive in France Aas begun. iercc battles are in progress on both sides of the famous catnedral city Ot Rheims, which since the last offensive along the Marne. has stood the apex of a sharp salient into the German line.
 West Of Rheims the Germans under the pressure of large numbers of troops, the unleashing of which was preceded by a verita ble hsil of high explosive and gas she.lz. have been enabled co cross the Marle at several llaces- East of ta- c.tA hOwever,they have been htld tD. tae .znaI!est of gains by the tenacious resistance oi tse defenders ot the iin@- Altogether the two battle IrUnts aggregate about sixty-fve miles in length.
 American troops are fighting val iautly on the sectors they nave been holding. and at two points have met with nO;ahie success. 1t Faux they nor alone broke down a violent attack Joy the enemy out drove him back eral hundred yards and only re- turned to their former poslunns when the advance of the Germans southeast or Chateau Thierry across the MaTne made the re-occupauon Of their trenches uf strategi cValue.
 Americans Drive Enemy Back.
 Along the Marre. batween the town of Fossoy and the River SurmeIiIl, where the Germans crossed tine Marne the Americans ill d strong cOunter-at- tack forced back the enemy to the right bank of the stream. 1t other ro.nts along the river they used to the greatest advantage their machine guns asainst enemy clements which were crossing the river on pOnJo0n bridges, killing or wOunding many Of them. In the counter-attack nea: Eos SOY between 1000 and l,50U Germans were made prisoner by the Ameri- cans. The captured men included a -cmnlete brigade staff The French general in command on this sector sent a cengrs tuiaIory message to the general in command of the American troops.
 The Germans, in addition to their tremendous expenditure Of explosive and gas shells used numerous tanks against the lines Of the defenders and also opened with numerous naval guns 1om mbardments of towns and cities far hehind the battle line. dropping upon fhem shells from 10 and l2 inch pieces.
 Rheims the German Objective.
 The details Of the strategic scheme the Germans have in view have not yet been unfolded. It seems appar- ent. however, that the main objective In the first stages of the offensive is the throwing of their lines soutnward on both sides of Rheims, envelcping that city and forcing its capitulatloL. The gaining of the southern bank of Inc Msrne and the strengthening out eastward of their battle line toward verdun also may be in the programme bf the German high command. Sue cess in these movements would be Of rrest strategic value to the Germans if it is intended by them ultima tely to attempt 10 drive on to Paris.
 British Harass German Lines.
 While the Germans are making their drive in the south the British around Ypres are pecking away at the German lines with success as regards the gaining of ground and the taking of prisoners; the French and Italians in Albania are keeping up their spc-- taCular drive against the Austrians and the French and Italians in the mountain region of the Italian theatel daily are harassing the enemy witt patrol attacks of considerable Vio- lence and bombardments. In the few instances where the Austrians in this region lately have tried to take stra- te6.C PoS4tAVi4S t'ASS lla'V met NItH a. most instant repulse. In Palestine Turkish and German troops penetrat- I'd British positions north of Jericho but almost immediately were elected with the loss of more than 5G0 mer made prisoner, including 260 Ger. mans.
 Allies centyel Murman Coast.
 British and American troops ar, now in control Of the entire Murma1 coast in northern Russia, according [, unofficial sdvices. It is through mi, territory that it is hoped ultimatel. 10 lend aid to Russia by way of thu Arctic ocean. In violent fighting witt The Boishevik troops in middle Rus Eia. Czecho-Slovak forces hava cap tured the important commercial cit, of Kazan, which lies on the Volg; liver 430 miles east of Moscow