The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1918-08-01

tanned a powerful assault on Vaux,
west of Chateau Thierry, and though
forced out of that village mOmentar1ly,
they regained possession Of it by q
brilliant counter-attack. Then, far
Their to the east, at the Jaulgonne
bend of the Marine, they were called
on to check a tremendous rush of
Huns across the river Their advanced
line fell back, the guns all the time
slaughtering the Germans who were
trying to get over with pontoons and
canvas boats. Then the main line
of defense came into action, changed
itself into line of Offense, and swept
the enemy back across or into the
river, killing great numbers and cap
turing about 1900, including a COM
plete brigade staff. The fighting in
that sector continued with great in
tensity, but the Americans command
ed the river front at the bend.
~
On Tuesday the Americans, in CO.
operation with the French, launched
heavy attacks between st. Agnan and
La hapelle-Monthodon, southeast Of
Jaulgonne, where the Germans had
succeeded in getting considerable
forces across the river. The enemy
was driven back steadily and both
these villages, as we'll as others, were
recaptured. From Dormans, north
ward toward Reims, in a sector held
by Franco-Italian forces, the Huns at
first advanced two or three miles,
but occupied no positions of impor-
lance and were unable to disorganize
in the least the defensive line of the
allies. By Wednesday the Germans
were making their greatest efforts
in this sector, trying to force
their way toward Epernay. But
by this time the French were
manifestly holding the upper hand,
and they counter-attacked eagerly
and spiritedly, retaking every piece of
ground which the Germans occupied
by their desperate efforts. Nearly ev-
cry attempt of the enemy to advance
was repulsed almost before it started.
~
The swiftest and most complete
check sustained by the Germans was
east of Reims, between Pompelle fort
and Main de MasRiges. Expecting an
easy victory there, they met with a
crushing defeat at the hands of the
French troops under General Gouraud.
This gallant commander, who lost an
arm at the Dardanelles, had disposed
his men with the utmost cleverness.
When the German bombardment be-
gan, one of the most terrific ever
known, the French, except for machine
gun crews in blockhouses, retired to
shelter. Then the observers annOun-
ced that the advance was starting, and
instantly the enemy was swept by a
devastating fire from cannon, machine
guns and rifles. The blockhouses re.
tarded the Huns, large numbers OF
whom were killed, and the charging
troops never entered the French line
Of resistance, coming to a standstill at
the wire entanglements, which were
loaded with dead bodies.
The Huns engaged in this attack
were fifteen elite divisions, with ten
divisions supporting. Less than one
third as many Frenchmen defeated
them, and the French casualties we're
few. The attacking Ger
man divisions had to be relieved, but
the French staid in their positions,
happy and cheerful and more conf
dent than ever.
The morale Of all the allied troops,
indeed, was Of the highest, in strong
contrast to that of the enemy as re-
7ealed by the words and actions of
prisoners. The spirit Of the Americans
was shown wildly by two In
:1dents worth recording. On the first
lay, when certain force of Yankees
had been compelled to give ground,
heir commander was advised by a
French general to let his men rest. as
he retirement could have no serious
The American respond |
I'd that he could not accept the coun-
'el and was going to counter-attack |
1t once. This he did, regainin9 the |
ost terrain and half a mile more to |
'oot. Another commander, in report I
ng the recapture of number of |
owns, wired to headquarters MET !
3oche on his line Of defense. Sharp
lighting. Boche turned tail and ran |
ike HI, pursued by our troops. Hone
o have more prisoners" There were |
instances Of valor and nerve
the desperate fighting in which the
americans took part. These are the |
roops which the German papers as
ert are fabby, without enthusiasm
nd unfit for serious operations.
The French soldiers displayed their