South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-09-21
METZ IS GREAT
AREA Of VAST
HUN DEFENSES
Yankees Up Against Greater
Task Than Germans Had in
Attempting to Force in
French at Verdun.

WASHINGTON Sept 81
Changes in the battle situation in
France are foreshadowed by the
impending capture of 81 quentin.
and the clearing of st. Gobain for
est. indicated 10y the unfalterine
progress of the British and French
armies TO be only matter of a few
days. Both allied and American
military officials here are confident
that new blows will fall immedi-
ately upon the Germans. denying
them any rest or chance 10 re-
organize their battered units. but
the actual plans of Marshal Foch
supreme commander, are as much
of a mystery here as they are i'm
Berlin.
1t now appears certain that Gen
Pershing's first army has for the
moment completed its allotted task
having blotted out the ST Mihiel
salient and restored to allied use
railways of vital importance i'm flu
ture operations. In addition il was
pointed out today. the Americans
have established positions i'm the VIZ
ciniy Of Metz which constitute
direct threat at that fortress which
the enemy cannot ignore As yet
however there is nothing 10 indi-
cate that the American Commando
has embarked on the far-reachinz
campaign which would he neces-
sary TO attempt the capture Of this
German stronghold.
Must Force Retirement.
For the moment the allied often
siye Is concentrated on the ST
QUentin-La Fere-Laon front. There
is. therefore, a strong feeling here
that larger operations which the
supreme commander may contem-
plate in the immediate future hinge
on break king the enemy's resistance
i'm this region and forcing him 10
new retirement
The Germans are known 10 be
feverishly active in the preparation
Of a new line of defense along a
wide front roughly parallelinC the
Hindenburg line and some eight or
ten miles farther to the east. Again
behind that front. according 10 in
formation here, they are at work
on two other defense positions.
The extent of these strong lines
is not so fully known IL is quite
evident. however. that the enemy
is prepared TO fall back by stages,
fighting as he goes, if he is unable.
as is now indicated. TO hold his
present front.
Fort 80 Square Miles.
In effect a whole block Of coun-
try some so square miles i'm extent
and surrounding Metz and Thion-
vile, has been turned into a vast
fortress. BY including Thionviue
in this continuous defense system.
the possible isolation Of Metz by
flank attack was prevented The
two cities are connected by road
and railways in the river valley (
sheltered under the hills on both /.
sides, which are crowned with F.
thoroughly modern Notifications.
These are called forts, but in fact
they are interlocking fortified zones .
around the entire great position
where every twist and turn of the
hills has been used 10 full advant-
age in preparing hidden defense .
works. Every approach from the I.
lov-lands is commanded by double .
and triple gun lines. Beyond doubt, /.
it is said. the position is stronger I
than Verdun against which the .
German army. at the top OF its
power. proved unavailing
Must Realize Strength.
Officials here feel that the Amer
lean people should fully realize the
great strength Of this position and
not pin their hope TO any swift cam
paign by Pershings men for its
capture. The thing can be done. il
IS said, because any fortified posi-
ton can be blasted away by mod
ern artillery and with the huge
American heavy ordnance program
coming forward 20 supplement the
French guns. q concentration would .
he possible that could sweep away
the hills themselves But il would
take time and infinite labor. and
there may be other ways Of reach F
ing the same end in the opinion of
NTa-eboT