In contrast with the further advance of the German centre, the French
and British forces on the wings are holding firm. The great highroad
from Soissons to Château-Thierry marks broadly the western limit of the
offensive.
On the northern stretch of it there was hard fighting yesterday. In the
morning the enemy crossed the road at Hartennes and attacked westward
with a number of tanks, but was checked near the hamlet of Tigny.
Further north a well-known French division made, with its traditional
spirit, a thrust westward across the road and the little River Crise
and reached the village of Noyant. It had to fall back, but here, too,
the German advance was arrested. The Compiègne road is firmly held, and
the disparity of forces is being rapidly reduced.
On the other flank of the battlefield the French and British divisions
stand across the hills on the other bank of the Ardre, a small
tributary of the Vesle, from Brouillet to Thillois, on the northern
foothills of the mountain of Rheims, whence the front runs around the
ruined city.
This French division struck out from Le Neuvillette along the canal
and captured two hummocks, called Castalliers and De Courcy. It was
a bold effort, intended to check the enemy rather than in the hope
of retaining the position. This indeed proved impossible, but the
French were slow to retire, and the lesson will not be lost upon their
adversaries.