Casper Daily Tribune

ENVELOPING OPERATIONS OF ALLIES THREATEN BIG FORCE
Capture of Chateau-Thierry and Advance Beyond Marne Paves Way for Flank Movement Southwest of Soissons to Be Used as 'Nut-Cracker' in Squeezing Germans from Salient Gained Last Week; Franco-Americans Advance Steadily Along Ourcq River in Addition to Gains at Other Points on Battle Line

[By Associated Press.]

Rear guard actions are being fought by the Germans north of Chateau-Thierry today, following up the pursuit of the fleeing enemy by the French and Americans, who Sunday passed thru Chateau-Thierry and advanced northeast of that cornerstone of German conquest in Eastern France. The reaction was marked between Grisolles and Bezu-St. Germaine, two villages north-northwest and north of Chateau-Thierry, at a distance of approximately seven and four miles, respectively. Between Grisolles and Bezu-St. Germaine, German attacks have broken, and the Allied line maintained thruout.

This is also the case between the Marne and Rheims, notably in the region west of Rheims mountain and in Courtan and Rio woods. South of Soissons Americans are reported to have advanced a distance of a mile and a quarter.

In the Ourcq Valley the Allies are steadily pounding their way toward Nantueil Notre Dame. Southwest of Rheims there seems to be an indication that the Allies have initiated the new drive for the purpose of outflanking the Germans between Marfaux and Chatillon.

If this last movement develops, the Allies' "nut-cracker" will be in full motion. Between the Allied front south of Soissons to the town of Boully, southwest of Rheims, there is a gap of twenty-four miles. If the French, Italians and British troops southwest of Rheims make an advance of any importance, positions held by the Germans further south will be made even more critical than at present.

There appears to be at least two and possibly three enveloping operations along the western side of the salient south of Soissons. First: By the breaking thru of the Allies northwest of Chateau-Thierry, they forced the Germans back from the extreme tip of the salient. Second: Proceeding up the Ourcq Valley, and at last accounts very near Oulch-le-Chateau. The third is the advance of the Allies south of Soissons. Thus General Foch has projected tentacles eastward to catch the Germans retreating from the Marne. There are few details available of the fighting between the Aisne and the Ourcq.

WASHINGTON, July 22. General Pershing today reported that Americans in the past few days had taken over 6,000 prisoners, over 100 cannon, and many trench mortars and machine guns. Sunday brot fresh successes to our troops between the Aisne and the Marne. With undiminished vigor and spirit, they continued to force the enemy to yield bitterly contested positions.