Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1919-05-16
British and French Begin New
Offensive Between Albert
and Montdidier.
HAIG DIRECTS THE drive
Allies Force Crossing Of the Vesle Riv.
er In Face Of Strong Resistance
Plans for Siberian Expedition
March States American
Army Program.
By EDWARD w. PIcKARp.

Having thoroughly whipped the
armies Of the German crown prince
and driven them back beyond the
vesle river, Foch, now a marshal OF
France, turned his attention in the
middle Of the week to the forces I'M
der the Bavarian crown prince, Rup-
precht. At dawn on Thursday the Brit
ish Fourth army and the French First
army, under command Of Field Mar
shall Haig. began an offensive on
wide front in the region east and south
east Of Amiens. The front under at
tack was about twenty-eight miles IN
length. from Albert south to the vicin-
ity Of Montdidier.
Within "a hours the allied forces had
penetrated the enemy lines to points
from six to seven miles beyond the start.
had taken more than 10000 prisoners
and great quantities Of material and
many guns. and had occupied numerous
towns. Their own losses were remark
ably light. Tanks led the infantry in
the attack and did wonderfully good
work.
Complete success in this offensive
would result In obliterating the Ger
man salient in the Montdidier region
and would imperil the entire Hun line
from Reims to Ypres. The Germans
seem to have anticipated this move
ment by the allies and some days prev
iously withdrew their forces there and
in other sectors to stronger positions.
Progress BY the allies here carries
them into the Picardy country which
was ravaged by the Germans in their
retreat Of March. 1917, and again de-
vastated by them when they drove for
ward this year.
The defeated but not disorganized
Huns between scissors and Reims. as
was predicted, gathered their strength
for a pause In their retreat between
the vesle and the Aisne. Their guns
were brought into play from the plat.
eau in that region which commands
the vesle valley. The Germans. in
deed, made strenuous attempts to pre-.
vent the French and Americans from
crossing the Vesle, especially In the
vicinity Of Fismes, but numerous rela-
lively small units forced the crossings
and held onto their new positions de-
spite furious counter-attacks. These
operations were mostly between
Braisne and Fismes. Up to the close
Of the week Marshal Foch had not
tried to send any very large forces
across the river. probably waiting I'M
til his artillery could drive the Huns
from the nearer hills to the north
The Germans were using only medium
caliber guns. which was taken to mean
that their heavier artillery was beine
placed north Of the Aisne to defend
that line; for there seemed little doubt
that they would be forced that fal
north before very long. Their position
south of the Aisne was said to be real
~ untenable though seemingly strong
At the west end of the line the French
and Americans were steadily pushing
east along the Aisne. and at the cas-
end Immediately north of Reims thu
French made considerable advance be
tween the railways running to LaoI
and Rethel.
The city Of Fismes, which was 81
calamity taken by the Americans. wa
as calamity held against all attacks
though the Germans deluged 1t witt
explosive and gas shells. The machin
gun and rifle fire of the Yankees wa
so accurate as to arouse the admirs
tion Of their allies.
-
Activity increased during the wee
In the Lys salient which the German