watch
for the approach of an enemy. The conditions then were quite simple: on
the plateau it was possible to gain many kilometres in a single rush;
but in the valleys a fierce resistance was to be expected.

[Sidenote: The Franco-American attack.]

The French and American attack in the Soissonnais was fortunate in its
starting-point. In the course of the hard-fought battles between June 15
and July 15, the French had retaken the entire valley of
Ambleny-Coeuvres, and had gained a footing on the plateau to the
eastward, which stretches as far as the outskirts of Soissons. To the
south they had completely cleared the verge of the forest of Retz, from
which they were thus able to debouch into the plain.

[Sidenote: In sight of Soissons.]

[Sidenote: Germans bring up reserves.]

The first onrush was magnificent. Starting at ten minutes to five in the
morning, the Allies were within sight of Soissons at ten o'clock, having
overrun the whole plateau on a front of some ten kilometres. Rarely has
a more successful attack been seen in this war. It was even said that
on this first day some French and Americans got as far as the suburbs of
Soissons. But the danger for the Germans was too great, and they brought
all their reserves thither. Moreover, they had the valley of the Crise
to support their defense.

[Sidenote: Artillery can hardly see the villages.]

This valley is the widest and deepest of all those which eat into the
plateau of the Soissonnais from the south. The very considerable
depression is more than 100 metres below the surface of the plateau,
which it cuts in two, effectively shutting off all progress from west to
east; for on the south a narrow isthmus, that of Vierzy, barely
separates it from the ravine of the Savieres; and on the southeast it
reaches to the foot of the wooded hills of Hartennes. Clinging to the
sides of the valley and of the ravines which open into it, numerous
villages--Vauxbuin, Berzy-le-Sec, Villemontoire, Buzancy--are the more
difficult to capture because the artillery can hardly see them, as they
lie close against the hillside. It was on the Crise, in the latter part
of May, that a handful of Frenchmen held up the German avalanche from
the Chemin-des-Dames.

[Sidenote: German guns have revenge.]

[Sidenote: Allies enter Soissons.]

The Germans paid us back in July. Sheltered in the ravines and windings
of the valley, their artillery, being almost invisible, had nothing to
dist