The French Army of General Mangin has continued throughout the
week its tremendous struggle in the hills north of the Aisne, where it is slowly approaching the western end of the Chemin des Dames. The enemy has fought hard for every inch of the ground, and has used his best troops lavishly in repeated and desperate counter-attacks, but the French have steadily pressed on. The capture of Allemant and Laffaux Mill last Saturday, and of the Mont des Singes, overlooking the Ailette, on Monday, gave our Allies the ridge immediately west of the Fort of Malmaison, which is the key to the Chemin des Dames. The French are attacking from the south as well as from the west. They occupied Vailly on the Aisne on Monday, while further east the Americans have taken Gleams, between the Aisne and the Vesle. The enemy's hope of retaining the Chemin des Dames is fading, though its loss would imperil the centre of his Western front.
