New-York tribune., 1918-10-22
Americans in
Argonne lake
2 Strongholds
Force Huns From Rappes
Wood and Hill 299 Despite
Fierce Resistance

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
NORTHWEST OF VERDUN, Oct. q
@ p. m0, (By The Associated Prcss).
--Ihe American attack, though on "a
comparatively small scale to-day, was
entirely successful. The Bois de
Rappeis and a formidable hill, No.
299, both points Of strategic import
ance, were rushed and cleared of the
enemy within three hours, despite un-
usual machine gun opposition.
The artillery on both sides was
fairly active throughout the day, and
the aviators were up from early un
til late, but the infantry action was
confined to two local operations.
The advance on the Bois de Rapnos
began just before noon. The Woo,
was infested with machine guns.
which were not entirely eliminated bv
the brief preparatory sheling. De-
spite every effort of the Germans. the
Americans steadily forced their wav
ahead, driving the enemy before them,
and at 3 o'clock in the afternoon were
IN complete possession of the wood
Hill Also Taken
Hill No. 29o fell almost simultanc-
ously with the Bois de Rappcs, which
outtianked it. The Germans conse-
suently retired hastily from the
height when it appeared that the
Americans had been successful in
forcing their passage through the
wood, but $50 Germans were take,
prisoner.
another minor success for the
Americans was the expulsion of the
enemy from his last positions in Ban
theville Wood. He had hung on /,
the northern edges of this machine
gun stronghold, from which it was
possible to direct harassing cnflad-
ing fire.
(Noo,O. ,O.-1mmediately west of the
Meuse the Americans consolidated
their positions overnight despite the
activity of German guns of various
calibres In the line Strengthening
process an American battalion can
tured little thicket to the east of
the Bois de Rappes and several pris-
oners, including two officers. The
prisoners said they believed peace
would come soon.
There was considerable enemy troops
to-day on both sides of the
Meusc. Although the day was cloudy
there was also much aerial activity.
Huns Will Dispute Every Foot
1t is the purpose of the German
command to dispute every foot of the
American advance on the line west Of
the Meuse and to intlict the heaviest
possible losses, German prisoners capt
ured Sunday declared. They added that
the Americans in taking over the sec
tor would find more formidable appo-
s'tlon than any place else on the front
and would suffer accordingly. A strong
herman defence was necessary on this
sector, they said, because it was neces.
ssary TO stand firm while the German
iines rorthward to the North Sea we're
being readjusted.
In the all-American bombing expedi-
tion behind the German lines FRIDAY
American pursuit airplanes brought
down seventeen German machines.
Most OF the victories have been con
frmed officially. Not one American
machine was lost, making the day stand
out in the history Of American ayia-
tion.
Down Enemy Airplanes
During the expedition the American
machines met and vanquished several
enemy formations of thirty-five and
forty airplanes each. Among the
Americans who brought down German
machines Friday are the following:
Lieutenant Cleveland McDermott.
Syracuse, and Lieutenant Chester
Wright, Brookline. Mass, two each:
Lieutenant Albert Weatherhead, Cleye-
Continual IN nuoe t6sr>