27 JULY 1918, Page 1
General Foch on Thursday week attacked the enemy's western flank
between Fontenoy on the Aisne, west of Soissons, and Chateau- thierry on the Marne, on a front of twenty-eight miles. The French infantry and strong American forces under Generals Mangin and Degoutte, without any preliminary bombardment, suddenly advanced on the enemy lines, preceded by a heavy barrage and accompanied by many tanks. The surprise was completely suc- cessful. Everywhere on the wide front, held by General von Boehn with from seven to twelve divisions, the enemy was overwhelmed. In the first rush the French took the plateau commanding Soissons from the south-west, and further south the French and Americans advanced a mile or more all along the line, capturing twenty villages and many prisoners.
