New York Times Current History: The European War, Vol. 8, Pt. 2, No. 1, July 1918Various
History
New York Times Current History: The European War, Vol. 8, Pt. 2, No. 1, July 1918
Various
World War, 1914-1918
At 11 A. M. yesterday a movement began from a little east of the
railway line between Domfront and Wacquemoulin. The infantry were
supported by tanks, and along the whole line the Germans were swept
back. A French contingent actually reached points which were within the
German front. The French advance went well beyond Rubescourt and Le
Fretoy, half way between Courcelles and Mortemer, and between Mery and
Couvilly, beyond Belloy, and to the border of St. Maur.
Meanwhile the enemy had delivered a very powerful blow at the French
centre and had driven a way, despite vigorous opposition, as far as the
village of Antheuil, two miles south of the Matz. At 4 P. M. a further
counterattack was therefore made from the French left centre, and the
enemy advance was completely arrested. In these combats a certain
amount of confusion was apparent in the German ranks, and the fact that
1,000 prisoners and some cannon were taken speaks eloquently. This was
not the heaviest punishment. Eyewitnesses say that German corpses strew
the battlefield in piles.
Three critical days of the offensive have then given the enemy at the
cost of enormous losses a not very magnificent result. We now know
that the program was to reach Compiègne on the second day. General von
Hutier must be greatly disappointed.
The attack was begun with fourteen divisions, at full strength, in the
line. They included at the centre divisions of the Prussian Guard and
four other crack divisions. About twice as many divisions have now been
thrown into this battle, ten already holding the sector and the rest
being fresh reserves.
These figures may be measured by the fact that the total German forces
in the west amount to 207 divisions, and that of these before the
offensive only sixty-two were in the general reserve, the rest being
engaged on the front. The more we consider in the light of material
considerations like these what the German command essayed and what it
has accomplished the more we shall appreciate the valor of the French
armies and the qualities of their chiefs; and it is impossible to do
justice to either without such reflection.
FRENCH HOLD GAINS
_On June 12 Mr. Perris reported that the French were holding their
gains and gave these further details of the counterattack the day
before:_
The French lines hold all the way round from the important position
of Mery Plateau by the hamlets of St. Maur and Antheuil to Marest
and Chevincourt. Time after time, last night and this morning, the
gray-coated masses of General von Hutier came on, only to be mowed down
by waves of fire from the 75s and machine guns, and their remnants
dispersed with bayonet and grenade.
Yesterday's French counterattacks met great bodies of the enemy
prepared to force another advance. Four divisions were found to be
ranged in a space of two miles. Hence the frightful intensity of the
combat and the abnormal slaughter.
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