New-York tribune., 1918-10-13
Germans Make Desperate
Effort to Retain Valen-
ciennes Line
Americans Kissed by
Villagers They Rescue
Largest Enemy Ammuni-
ton Dump Yet Captured
Taken in Bohain Region

WITH THE ANGLO AMERICAN
FORCES ON THE VAI.ENCIENNES
FRONT, Oct. IL (By The Associated
Press) (Mornino)-There was every
evidence to-day that the Germans were
preparing to make strong stand on
the Valenciennes line, which now has
been reached, at least east of the River
Se!le, by the Anglo-American forces.
The evacuation of the city OF Valen-
ciennes itself was started three weeks
ago Prisoners captured to-day said
thew had orders to hold to the last and
10 kill as many Britons and Americans
as possible
It il expected the German resistance
Will continue and will grow more de-
termined until the first phase Of the
withdrawal in the Douai sector is COM
pleted. There are indications that the
enemy also is contemplating with
drawals on large scale elsewhere.
Germans Work Fast on Line
The Germans had to do quick work
in the preparation of the Valeneiennes
line, as it had not been finished for
them by the time they were forced to
move back to it. This line, which, it
appears, the Germans intend trying
TO hold. seems in general way t6 5uil
from Valenciennes to Vendegles. east
of the River Escaillon, on the high
ground south of Bermerain, along the
high ground between Escarmai1 ana
Solesmes, along the high ground oass
of the River Selle, east of LIE Cateau
20 Nolan, thence east of ADdlgny,
west of Regnicourt, through .ERs
Piquerval Wood and thence possibly
southeast to Vadencourt, on the oise'
1t is obvious that this is only tenn
norarv line. for explosions are in prog
ress east of it. 1t is known thaf the
military Offices that were formerly IN
i,e Cateau we're moved to Maubeuge
and Charleroi, and guns have been
moving back far to the eastward: AS
far back as the general line at Valen,,
ciennes the roads have been named ana
the material moved away, according to
reliable informatio
Many Villages Burning
eros @ i3Soat wb;le 'Is'i in Domain mai and in the
southern and northern outskirts ct
Lille explosions and fires have been
observed. Villages to the northeaSt ot
.Douai are burning, including Maita'ne'
Marquette, Merchicourt and Marco.
In addition to the other destruction
reported toward the northerly end OF
the line. the locks and bridges along
the Haute Deule Canal have been blown
up. A large quantity of motor trans
port is moving from Lille.
The British again attacked southwest
of Douai this morning. They stormed
and took Breberes and passed through
10 the eastward. They are now within
slightly more than a mile OF Doual
itself. A stiff rearguard resistance by
enemy machine gunners is being over
come.
The resistance of the enemy through.
out the whole area north and south OF
I,e Cateau has stiffened appreciably,
and this morning he put down a thln
but determined barrage over the en-
tire region. 1t is evident the Germans
intend making stand on the line from
Volenciennes to LIE Cateau and south
ward 1t is not believed the resistance
will last longer than is necessary, to
cover the retreat which apparently has
begun west of Douai.
Two additional batteries have been
captured by the Americans operating
on this front south Of St Soupast. The