The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-04-06
entire BATTALION DESTROYED
FRENCH SLAUGHTER ATTACK
ING GERMANS ON OISE.
Desperate Attempt to Break Through
Allied Lines Regarilcss of Cost
Fails When French Make Final
Stand.

Win the rrencn army In france,
Sunday. March 81 (By the Associated
Press) A daring attempt by the
Germans to cross the Disc today and
form a bridgehead permitting of fu-
ure advances was easily frustrated by
the French. One of the famous storm
battalions succeeded in getting over
near Chauny. but never returned. 1t
was almost entirely annihilated
There remained only about 100 un-
wounded men whom the French took
prisoner.
Nearly all the bridges crossing the
Oise have been destroyed and the
French hold strong positions on the
southern bank while all possible fords
are covered by artillery.
More to the north. In the region of
Morsuii. the Germans for the moment
at least appear tc have renounced
their general attacks and resorted to
local actions. TWO OF these were ex-
tfemely violent between Marcelcove
ana the Somme. They came against
tho strongest resistance from the
French, who repulsed them after very
severe lighting. Other attacks took
place on the right bank OF the Somme
about the same period OF the day and
those also met with failure.
sanguinary engagements in which
the combatants again came to close
fighting and individual combat took
place about the Lassignay sector.
Here the French field artillery caught
the advancing German columns under
a tempest OF shells which drove them
back. but only after the ground was
ssre,vn with hundreds Of bodies.
AZ P1emont two German divisions.
which had received strict orders to
execute an advance whatever might
be the cost and capture height,
found themselves confronted by a
French division which would not give
way before the fury OF the German
waves. For n moment the French were
forced back but took breath and came
at the enemy again with such n rush
that the Germans were driven from
the height. leaving TOO prisoners. tn-
Guiding 20 officers. in the hands OF tho
French.
At no period OF the war has the
hshtng been so fierce. The Germans
intended at any cost to reach and
destroy the railroad communication ut
Amiens. connecting the north and
south- Today. the nth day OF the
battle. they have before them a solid
wall OF allied troopu which daily Is
becoming firmer. as artillery is ad.
vancing from all directions to support
the infantry. which has stood the en-
tire shock up to the present.
A word must be said for the allied
aviators. who from the beginning OF
the battle have worked necessarily,
taking the place of cavalry for re,
connaissance and often descending TO
an altitude of 100 feet or less to at
tack with machine guns. Their daring
seemed to have an almost paralyzing
effect on the German foot men.
II appears that certain Of the Ger
man forces possess many tanks but 30
far they have been utilized very lit
tie. A captured order shows that five
OF these were placed at the disposition
OF one division while prisoners de-
clare that a large number OF tanks
have been constructed since last fall
Thesc vehicles comprise small tanks
ton tons In weight and eight metres
long. three metres wide and three and
half high. and land cruisers IA me-
tres long. four wide and four high
with a speed OF from seven to is kilo-
metres. They are armed with cannon
and machine guns as well as flame
projectors. They are provided with
doors and apertures which can be her.
metically closed 80 as to allow them
tn pass through gus clouds.
10 is believed that the Germans in
tend TO use these tanks to follow the
first waves OF infantry and deaf with
the resistance on the center.
The aiiies during their retreat made
frequent use OF armored motor cars
htted with machine guns to harrass
their pursuers. One OF these. which
came In close contact with the enemy
throughout a whole day. became
ditched. The occupants left the car
and endeavored to pull the machine
out OF the. mud under a severe rifle
IRE. A machine gun was lifted out
and used against the enemy until IT