Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1918 — GERMANS GAIN GROUND FROM THE FRENCH [ARTICLE]

GERMANS GAIN GROUND FROM THE FRENCH

Right and Left Wing Holding Oespite Terrific Blows, And Allies Eiact Heavy Tolls. . ' \. AMERICANS PIERCE HUN LINES Enemy Captures Three Villages and Cains Footing in Marqueglise, Representing Penetration of Between Five and Six Milos. The Germans in the center of their new attack on the front between Mont Didier and N’oyon have gained additional ground against the French, but on both the right and left wings they are being held. In violent successful attacks Monday they captured the villages of Mery, Belloy and St, Maure, and also pressed forward and gained a footing in the village of MarquelUse, the last named place representing the deepest point of penetration since the offensive began, between five and six miles. Germans Deliver Attack in Waves. The French still are exacting a - heavy toll in lives from the Germans as they deliver their attacks in waves, and are giving ground only when forced to do so under superiority of numbers. Nowhere has the enemy been able to pierce the front, which has bent back In perfect order whenever the necessity arose. Enemy Reckless With Manpower. The battle is described by correspondents as one of the most furious that has been fought since the war began, with the enemy unusually reckless in wasting life to gain hi^objectlves. Americans Take More Ground. Near Bussiares, northwest of Chateau Thierry, .the Americans and French again have delivered strong attacks against the Germans and taken more ground. They also captured a number of prisoners and thirty machine guns. On the remainder of the front In France and Belgium the operations have been of a minor nature, although south of the Somme the British near Bouzencourt have carried out an operation which straightened out a threatened Balient that sagged in their line. Austrians Reinforcing Lines.

As the Austrians continue to bring up large forces of men behind their lines in the Italian theatre the artillery activity and raiding aperations are daily increasing. Throughout the mountain region tjom Tonale to the Brenta river and along the lower reaches of the Piave river the guns of both sides are engaged in violent duels. Numerous surprise attacks have been attempted by the Austrians on various sectors, but all of them were successfully repulsed. Aerial operations on a large scale also are in progress and fights in the air are of daily occurrence. Large quantities of explosives have been dropped on enemy positions by Italians and a number of enemy aircraft have been shot down. Hottest Fight of War Being Waged. Fighting in this war probably never has been more severe than that going on today in the great battle of French and German armies between Mont Didier and Noyon. The Germans attacking on a ground where the entente allies were ready to receive the shock have found themselves thrown into a slaughter house whence most of them never will make an exit. When the German infantry began coming over in the densest masses they encountered immediately an extremely hot fire from both machine guns and artillery, which mowed them down. Ever since, as fresh waves entered the conflict, they were subjected to similar punishment. The German progress must not be taken to mean that the German forces have overcome the defenders, who intended from the beginning to retire to their actual lines of combat as soon as the action developed.

700,000 Yankees Overseas.

Washington, June 10.—More than 700,000 American soldiers have gone

overseas to carry back to France the encouragement and assistance which LuFayette and Rochambeau brought to America, Secretary Baker told the French Alpine Chasseurs in bidding them farewell here today at the base of the Washington monument. Americans Penetrate Hun Lines. The United States marines attacked the Germans after daybreak this morning and j>enetrated the German lines for about two-thirds of a mile on a 600-y|rd front In the Belleau wood, northwest of Chateau Thierry. The Germans now hold only the northern fringe of the wood. The Americans captured two minenvverfer, which are the 1 largest pieces yet taken by them. It is expected that one will be sent to Washington and the other to Annapolis. , „ , _ / Think “Mother” Ship Helped U-Boat. Norfolk, Virginia, June 10.—Survivors of the American Pinar Del Rio, arriving here tdd&A from Monteo, N. C., said the Gern\an submarine which sank theiD vessel 110 miles northeast of Henry last Saturday morning afte? a stern chase of more than an houi*, was accompanied by a large steamer which they believe to be a “mother* ship. They also asserted that after their vessel was sent down by gun fire the submarine sank two American sailing vessels.