The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-09-14
2lOSQUARE MILES
GAINED in DRIVE
Allies Did Not Attempt Frontal
Attack Against st. MihieI.
Salient.
STRIKE MADE ON FLANKS
Won Fuchs Army Forced to Re-
treat in Haste to Prevent
Annihilation.
(By Henry G. Wales.)

with the American Army on the
Lorraine Front. Midnight, Sept. 13.-
Q. N. S.)-Seventy villages and $50
square kilometers (210 square miles)
OF territory have been captured by the
Americans in their big drive which
started on Thursday between the Meuse
and Moselle rivers.
Not only has the st. Mihiel salient
been wiped out by the Americans. but
the Americans and French have cap
tured n vast store Of materials, includ-
ing an immense number of machine
guns.
The allies did not attempt frontal
attack against the salient. but struck
at the fanks. delivering their main
pressure in an outfianking movement.
A savage blow was struck against
the German positions lying between
the Moselle river and Montsec, espe-
cially against the high ground in the
Montsec district. which dominates the
German front IN that region.
- Bloody Field Of 1915.
: South OF Fresnes, where the terri
tory Is extremely difficult, the French
ana Amcrtcans were on the bloody bat
tlefield of 1915. Despite the obstacles
the American and French forces Went
forward through the ravines with great
speed. While the Americans were
plunging to the crest of the forest OF
Iagentagon, which is on high ground,
the French, holding the rim OF the
salient, were pushing forward all
along their own line.
The successful movement OF the
Franco American forces made II nee
essary for Gen. Won Gallwitz. the Ger.
man commander in that zone. to pull
ont Gen. Fuchs army with all. pos
sible haste to prevent 1t from being
killad or cnDtIIred.
It was found, as the prisoners be-
gan to stream In, that the four-hour
bombardment preceding the attack
had completely shattered the nerves
of the German soldiers. -.
But the shells had done other dam
age as well. Wide reaches of German
and trenches were
found TO be wiped out. The cannon
ade was of q converging nature, the
French and American guns sending III
their fire from two sides.
One Of the first moves made by the
allied infantry was the storming OF
hill No. 322. This sealed the fate OF
ST Mihiel. as the nigh ground In that
region completely dominates the town.
The Americans made remarkanie
progress during the first phase OF the
attack. going forward about a mile an
hour. SO swiftly did the infantrymen
move that the tanks were soon aDie
10 cross the second line of German de-
fcnses.
The Germans we're completely over
whelmed. Whole companies OF the
elite Tenth division, which was the
first to get across the Marne in l9l4,
when the Germans were making their
drive on Paris. ran up to the Amerl-
cans with outstretched arms yelling
"kamerad!" Tanks that went forward
with the infantry, aided materially inl
the victory. These great fighting ma
chimes were RESPONSIBLE for the cap
ture of Beney. The Germans DEFEND
ing the village swarmed out to surren-
der when the tanks inf1ltrated the
wood south Of Vigneulles.
Following the capture OF Montsec py
the French, 1t was found that Ger
man wireless operator on the hill north |
Of the town was still in communica-
lion with Won GalIwitz's headquarters
on the Verdnn. His information re-
lated to the attack. hut his station was
soon put out Of business.
A great number Of big -caliber ana
ong range German guns were taken
IN the course OF the American success.
That the German retreat was pre-
'ipitated was Indicated by the condi-
ion of the ground over which the
Americans and French advanced.
Sreat guns were found imbedded in1
he mud and the highways were lit
cred with discarded equipment and the
of horses.