DRAMATIC EPISODE

Of this dramatic episode the army could give me yesterday afternoon only a few fragments of information. Within an hour and a half of the commencement of the battle the German front had been broken at several points. The cavalry was then called in. At eleven a.m. some squadrons were reported to be in Vierzy village, four miles east of the much-contested Chavignon Farm on the old front. At two p.m. the more remarkable news came in that a body of dragoons was fighting in the streets of a village which is fully six miles east of their starting-point. The tanks and bombing planes also took a most honourable part in the conflict, and after about seven a.m., when the grey mists cleared away, the air scouts kept the army commands constantly informed by signals and wireless of the progress and needs of the troops. But the infantry is still the queen of battles. I was at, least partially, wrong yesterday in suggesting that the German soldiers in these sectors were of poor quality. At many points they offered a stiff resistance. The most considerable advance of the Allied line is on the north over the broad, open plateaux between the Reiz valley, whence the attack started, and Soissons, and at the centre along the valley of the Ourcq. From Ambleny, Outry, St. Pierre-aigle, and Chavignon the battalions of assault rapidly broke through the lines they had faced for a month, crossed the Pernant and Saconin valleys, and the Paris-soissons high road, and reached a line on either side of Chaudun, where they dominate the whole of the plateaux and closely threaten Soissons. The advance here amounts to, and at points exceeds, three miles. Near Faverolles the French troops had to pass the little River Savieres, and waded across up to their armpits. They had then before them Cresnes Wood, which was strongly held by the enemy with a good many hidden machine-guns. It was at last enveloped by the north, and at about ten a.m. an American unit was left to clear the garrison out. The Westerners were in for their first fight, and it must by no means be supposed to have been a trifle because they brought back only twenty-nine prisoners. Behind this point, from Villers Helon, on the north by Chouy, to the twin villages of Marizy, south of the Ourcq, severe combats continued till late in the day. Near Marizy, and at Passy and Monnes, where the progress was more rapid, the tanks did good service. At Courchamps the enemy brought local reserves into play, and held hard, but in the end the French drove them back and captured eighteen cannon and much material. Throughout the field the objectives for the day were considerably overpassed, and up to last evening the enemy had attempted only comparatively small counter-attacks.

2 p.m.

The French and American forces on either side of the Ourcq made 10,000 prisoners yesterday and took about 100 cannon. German reserves have to-day been brought up in considerable numbers, and the struggle is more severe. Nevertheless further progress has been made.