Thursday week was the critical day, the results of which
compelled the enemy to evacuate the Marne Valley. The Franco-American troops, attacking from the west the road from Soissons to Chateau- Merry, and advancing also from the south towards the Oureq, which bisects that road, made progress at all points. They captured Oulehy-le-Chiiteau, close to which the road crosses the river. They took Villemontoire, half-way up the road from Oulchy to Soissons. South of the Ourcq they pushed north-eastward through the woods towards Fere-en-Te,rdenois. At the south-east corner of the salient the Frenekdrovn the enemy down the Marne from Reuil. Nearer to Reims the British, French, and Italian troops broke a series of fierce counter-attacks close to Vrigny. The continuous pressure on three sides of the salient was becoming irresistible.
