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Show a counter-offensive on the German flank when the enemy troops were fully engaged en-gaged in battle. Eastward of Rheims the execution of General Petain's plan was favored by stiong old positions, but to the westward of that city the problem prob-lem was complicated because the organization organ-ization of the ground held by the French had not been completed. When the battle opened, however, and opposing plans were put to test, that of General Petain proved itself superior to the others. The French, Americans, British and Italians co-operated and completely com-pletely upset the crown prince's grandiose project. The result was the utter defeat de-feat and discomfiture of the German armies, ar-mies, which were obliged to employ many divisions which had been reserved for later blows. The allied counter-offensive was re- markably well prepared and executed. It struck at the right place and at the proper time. The Germans are now very anxious regarding the positions of their great army between the Aisne and the Marne. It is for this reason that they are fighting with desperation. The present mc ment for them is one of the most critical of the war, since the allies possess the initiative, and the rapidly increasing American army enables en-ables them to undertake operations which would otherwise bfe impossible. The fighting will continue to be very severe, as the ground which the Germans Ger-mans occupy is very suitable for a defensive de-fensive battle, but their resistance is costing cost-ing them dearly. Their difficulties are being augmented every day, and it is probable that they will be compelled to think hard before starting any other offensive, of-fensive, even if its object is only to relievo re-lievo the situation. GENERAL PETAIN - IS GIVEN CREDIT FOR BATTLE PLAN By The Associated Press. : WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN FRANCE, July 2t!. A retrospective glance at the entire battle since the Germans tried to cross the Marne, in their great effort to break up the French armies, shows that the crown prince, thinking the French exhausted by the teiritic defensive battles they fought during dur-ing March. April, May and June, had decided de-cided to launch a tresh offensive. He ; was jo confident of success that he did not endeavor to hide his preparations. When Generals von Eineni. von Murda, Ton Boehm and voti Ebwi started the attack" at-tack" on th' night oi July 1-t they expected ex-pected to overcome all resistance and e isrlv cap) nre Monttnirail, Epernay and Chalons. General l' lain, however, had prepared another pl ui, which was presented pre-sented to General Foch on July 12, and which was approved the following day. The idea, was to a ha n (ion advanced ! posts and hold t lie principal line of re-5 re-5 stance wit h only the ubsolu tely essential essen-tial forces, and in the meantime prepare |