New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-24
Is Big Guns Are Also
CAPTURED in Advance
Toward Laon
Malmaison Fort and
Villages Taken
L,aon Is Threatened by
Biggest French Vic
tory Since Verdun

LONDON, Oct 29.-The French struck
sr. Of the swiftest and most telling
blovt Of the war against the Crown
Princes army north Of the Aisne TO-
day. Moving forward on front OF
about six miles northeast Of Scissors,
they penetrated ts enemy's powerful
6stenees to a depth at some points OF
nor. than two miles. captured three
villages and the great fort Of NAL
nsison. and swept in $500 prisoners
and twenty-five heavy guns.
ALTHOUGH the advance was carried
through in q cold mist and rain, ham
pering but not preventing aerial CO.
operation. unexpected success attended
N. efforts Of Petain's troops every
where from the moment they went over
the top al dawn.
DISPATCHES from French Headquar-
.ers say the Lafayette Squadron of
American airmen played big part in
the victory.
The attack. centring between the st.
Gobain Plateau srd the plateau north
Of the Chemin-des-Dames, carried the
French colors over the crest Of that
famous highway and down the south
ern hank Of the Athlete River, extend
;,g the moose around the southern
ode Of St. Gobain. which is virtually
impreenable 70 frontal assault
Laon Is Petain's Goal
The ultimate goal Of Petain in this
sector is the great centre Of Laon. on
which hinges the Hindenburg line.
Pc-a:n took up to-day where Nivelie
lei. OF last spring, when lack Of ar
tillery preparation cost the former
commander In chief notable victory
The greatest depth Of the French
drive was registered in the centre Of
the line. consisting Of formidable or
CARNATIONS defended. Petain's report
Jaws. bv the best troops Of Germany.
Here the poilus swept forward over the
advanced Gefences and wrested from
the enemy the three strongly fortified
ouarries Of Fruty, Bohery and Mont
Parnasse.
The powerful Fort Malmsison, which
barred Nivelle's advance last spring
fell next. The French troops drove on
sent masses Of fresh German reserve!
"helter-skelter," as the report puts II
before them. and IN a furious struggle
OF several hours duration stormed anC
established the village of Chavignon
two and one-ffth miles beyond then
starting point
French Filters Busy
On the left flank the villages OF
Aliemand and Naudessor fell before
the irresistible dash Of the poiius. On
tire right the tricolor was planted firm
ly on the heights dominating Pargny-
Filain. All the while he infantry
swung forward the French fiers
swarmed over the battlefield before
Them, pouring a hail Of lead into the
herman ranks az close range.
The losses Of the Germans, aside
from the unusually heavy toll Of pris-
oners taken by he French, are declared
by the Paris official statement to have
been enormous. So effectively had the
French ar,ilerymen done their work
IN the last week Of terrific lombard
ment on this front that many Of the
formidable German positions, particu-
lary the fortified quarries, we're pound
ed 70 dust when the French troops
twarmed ilto them.
Between the new French lines and
their objective Laon, the Germans still
maintain a powerfully fortified ridge
north Of the Aillette, but the main part
Of Petan's task has been accomplished
Another such stroke would put Laor
Itself into his hands, or at least at his
mercy. Io-dav's operation is regarded
everywhere as the most brillian,
French action since the attack that won
back the heights Of the Meuse north Of
Nerdun.