Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/857

The Final Stages of the War: the Russian Revolution 643 them all to victory ; and this confidence in his skill and char- acter was justified. Almost immediately matters began to mend. 1162. The Final Efforts of the Germans. Everyone knew that the Germans would soon make a second drive somewhere on the long front of one hundred and fifty miles, but at what point the Allies could only conjecture. The new blow .came April 9, when U.S. Official BRITISH VESSEL THROWING UP SMOKE SCREEN TO PROTECT AN AMERICAN TRANSPORT The British marine greatly aided in securing the safe passage of American troops. Note the "camouflage" (disguise coloring) of the transport the kaiser's armies attempted to break through the British de- fenses between Arras and Ypres, with the intention of reaching Calais and the English Channel. The suspense was tense for a time, but after retreating a few miles the British made a stand and were ordered by their commander to die, if necessary, at their posts. This checked the second effort of the Germans to break through.- In the latter part of May the German armies attempted a third great attack, this time in the direction of Paris. They took Soissons and Chateau-Thierry, which brought them within about forty miles of the French capital. In June they made a feebler