Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-07-20

General March said the objective
of the Franco American counter-at-
tack was the soissons- s-Chateau-Thi-
erry railroad, which the Allied COM
mand had reason to believe is the
principal artery of supply for the en-
emy in the Chateau -Thierry region,
and also one of the principal sources
for the sector south of the Marne.
The French and American forces
eithere. are. already on this road or,
have. it we'll under direct shell fire OF
their artillery. ,. !,
with this railroad in Allied contEQl
tffe' German Wft1draw wal froM tf:e Zee
tor of the Marne would be rendered
dificult and their main railway line
to the rear would be lost. He tndt-
Gated that an attempt to Withdraw as
The latest German drive was in.
tended as nut cracker operation
against the city of Rheims. General
Hiarch said. This drive had been
definitely stopped when General Focn
struck on the right flank of the Ger
man effort, after the enemy had ad-
vanced four to five miles on tWenty-
three mile front. =
Oficial advices confirm the press
report that a French corps in which
American divisions were operating.
: had captured 1900, prisoners and
guns and material lin very helptul
amounts"
tional Guard division, commanded by
Major General George Bell, Jr.. was
in the English training sector. A
INIT of this division last week coop
Grated with the Australians in sue
cessful advance already. reported.
The six American divisions operat-
ing on the Aisne-Mar front are OPP
ND
corps, General March said. Their To-
cation from day to day depends upon
the developments in the battle.
The seventy seventh National Army
division, composed largely of New
Jersey troops but including New York
and Delaware ,men. Is IN nnc near
Luneville. 1t Is operating as ol-
vision under its own commander.
six Of General Pershing's divisions,
or about 100000 American troops.
are fighting with the French IN the
nresent offensive in the Aisne -Marne
district General March. CHIEF ct. stan,
today advised members Of the senate
military Committee at their weekly
conference. -,
The Franco-American offensive will
continue as long as it is possible to
force the Germans back, General
% General March told the Senators
also that the Germans had been pre-.
paring for an offensive against the
Rritish to the north on the Western
battlefront, to be simultaneous with
their offensive against the Franco
American front.
J. For some reason General March
stated, the drive against the Britlsn
was postponed and that Is the PROB
ish policy Of not. attacking the Ger
mans while the French and Ameri-
cans are engaged in their offensive.
Allied military opinion, Genera
March said, is unanimous that tbs
German offensive movement has peer
completely stopped. s.
.Ans,lnattached regiment OF Negro
troops from the ninety third Nationa
Army division is in each sector.
. No report on casualties amc7g tn
Americans engaged has reached thu
Compiete satisfaction.
Complete satisfaction with IN 9.
the French and American attack; &C
cording to senators. was expressed 3,
the war department experts.
.,Reearding the German clairas tina!
thew took 10000 prisoners tlA theil
recent Offensive, Gen. March said Y
was entirely probable. but.M Was or on
10 SA
a. :" The successful defense OF. Rhein'
AGAINST the enemy. General March at
tributed to the splendid defense Or
ganixation1 perfected there Ahy tn
French forces. He descrtbe the az Cit
ss.gs.pared .s.ps for 2 'house q '' now s. 8
% 'Tie region to the east .of - helm
4 vhere the Germans struck on Mon
day was commended by Genera
Gourand, and General March charao
terized this French oficer. .. ass one. On. !. 2
the Allied leaders. 8f5si Is !. D ss.8 !.
~ In explaining the number of Ameri
\. cas, troops Involved, General Marcl
said that the American divisipnt hat
IS aastrength ofs 27. 900 com blatant troop
s s but with its service Aof supply forces
IN medical units and other auxiliar.
arrangements each reac ched q 3stota
n strength of ~, 900 nsEl. ... . Il -s.