Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-27
PENNSYLVANIA TROOPS
SHOW GREAT BRAVERY
By the Associated Press

with tho american Army on the ver-
dun. Sept 26-t0 p. m. delayed). -
The American troops took the Germans
somewhat by surprise by the speed OF
their attack today and without giving
the enemy time to recuperate they
pushed him steadily northward. This
evening the Americans between the Ar
gonne and the Meuse had reached Malan-
court. Montfaucon. Cuisy. DannevouN
and other town along tnat line.
The example of intrepidity set by the
Pennsylvania. Kansas and Missouri
troops was followed by the men in the
other American units
The opposition met with at Montfau-
con and Dannevoux and few other
points indicated that the German re-
slstanCe was becoming stronger and It
was apparent the enemy had time to
place in position some OF the artillery
withdrawn earlier in the day. Late in
the afternoon the German aerial ac-
tivity increased. indicating a determina-
ton to check what had developed so
rapidly into sweeping advance.
Americans Man Tanks
The work OF the tanks. which were
manned by French and Americans,
brought praise from the staff officers.
The machines, however. were unable to
display their abilities to the fullest
extent because of the boggy condition
of the terrain. The ground had been
Softened by recent rains and ns the
country naturally is swampy. the ter
I
places Many tanks became stalled in
the mud but they were not damaged
as the infantry had driven the enemy
well nOrthward.
"n"ration was the work of the aerial
units. The aerial observers were able
TO accomplish little until the afternoon,
but before the echoes of the opening
barrage had died away the pursuit air
planes were over the German lines.
Airmen Attack Troops
The clouds made it appear improbable
that there would be any great display
by the aviators and the fog seemed
I to hide the enemy. but flying at a height
of less that 100 yards the airmen swept
down on the German troops in the line
and on the roads. Wagon trains were
attacked and dead horses and debris
blocked the path of those who shortly
aftorward sought avenues of retreat.
+ As the skies cleared. the observers
anncared with their fighting escorts and
aided materially in correcting the aim
Of the artillery. which had never ceased
It's vigorous harassng fire. Gas shells
were used plentifully by the Americans
in only a few instances, but when they
were used the work was done ef-
feCtively.
gas attack was Nauquois. That his
tOriC place was known to be we'll fOrti-
fed There was reason to believ" that
the G, rmans might utilize the forty miles
bOrhoOd. 1t was flooded with gas
4 clouds and then envcloprd Ivy artillery
fire. Gas also was used against GER
tain woods around which tn" Americans
"ftcrward marched instead of going
directly through them.
Information obtained only the day be-
fore the attack enabled the officers of the
tank detaChmcntS to escape the traps
constructed at several places and also
the batteries of anti-tank guns.
Groun. of prisoner.
BY mid-afternoon every division head
| quarters began to look like a prison
camp. Groups of German prisoners
from a half dozen to 100, appeared at
being lined uD and questioned they were
sent on to the detention camps in the
rear. For the most part the captured
men We're cheerful some apparently
were joyful
: Many of the prisoners were taken in
| combat. but the greater part of them
had been forced to take cover under the
smothering barrage and had been left
behind by their retreatinE companions.
! with them il was a case of upraiSed
hands. Several officers We're captured.
but in this battle. as in previous en-
gagementS. the officers were well in the
rear when the retirement began.
Every objective was made according
to schedule and in some cases ahead of
time. The first objective was gained
just forty minutes after the Americans
started The French on the left kept
a swing stride