The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-10-05
Fighting East of the For
est Is of the Fiercest
Nature
GERMANS FIRE
s MANY VILLAGES
Details of American Ad-
vance Thursday Reveal
Big Gains
(By Associated Press.)

Paris, Oct. s. 1:fo p. M.--Am-
eriean troops attacked again this
morning between the meuse and
the Araonne along an extended
front. The advance at some
points has reached more than a
mile and several villages have
been taken.
With The American Army North
west of Verdun, Friday, Oct. 4.-In
the attack made yesterday east Of
the Argonne forest the corps hold
Ing the middle of the American line
met with most determined resistance
during the day. The Americans ad-
vanced behind a terrific barfage fire.
This bombardment of the enemy
lines began at $50 o'clock, % shells
falling each minute along the Ger
man lines. This was gradually in
creased to so per minute at Gas
o'clock.
The American FIRE had hardly be-
gun to slacken when the German
batteries began to speak and the en-
emy machine guns commenced to
impede the advance of the Ameri-
cans. Nevertheless the troops in
the center moved steadily. ahead
They fought their way through
Cierges which they shared for sew
eral days with the enemy and before
noon had driven the Germans out of
Gesmes. In front of Romagne lies
the strongest Germaans line in this
sector. It is long, intricate trench
system which is built on q curving
line so that each end Of it enfilades
any force that attacks another por-
tion. ,-
Left Keeps Pace.
The American troops on the left
kept in perfect touch with the cen
ter and rapidly cleaned up Exer-
mont and Chehery and captured
F1eviIle. BY noon they had mopped
up La Viergette and LeAienil farm
as well aa the Grange farm. They
had also taken filii 2A0.s This advance
had been Just as rapid as that of
the troops farther to the east, not
withstaanding the fact that they
went over the ton at $50 o'clock
without any artillery preparation
and handed the Germans a big sur
prise. E
Just south of chehery the general
advance was slowed up by a German
counter attack and American tanks
had to be sent for to drive the en-
enny back.
Germans Fire Village.
The Germans have deliberately set
fire to the villages Of Romagne,
Gesnes, Cornay, BantheviIle, Chew
ieries, st. Juvin and Marco. Shells
from American guns fell thick along
the front and ammunition dumps
everywhere were exploded when the
shells reached them.
Visibility was poor all day and
American aviators were not able to
help the artillery. The men at guns
could not see the American advance
at all points during, the morning.
American and German machines.
suffered from anti-aircraft fire.
Germans Retire.
Paris, Oct. 5.--Under the pressure
Of French and American attacks in
the Germans have re-
tired on their flank and given up
territory east Of the Monts accord
ing to the war Office announcement
today.
West of the suippe, the French,
keeping in touch with the Germans
rear guards. have reached the heights
southeast OF MoronvilIers.
The French have maintained their
gains in heavy fighting east of the
Argonne forest.
Northwest of Rheims In the last
five days the French have taken
more than 2,500 prisoners and 81
guns.
The French Report.
Paris. Oct. 5;-French and Ameri-
can troops in Champagne have gain
I'd further ground north OF Mont
Blanc in the direction Of the River
Arnes, according to the official state
nent from the war office today.
Along the Aisne canal in the re-
zion of Rheims the French are press
ng the Germans vigorously and have
crossed the canal at several points.
rhe French have reached the out
skirts of Bermericourt, east Of the
channel
Violent lighting continues north of
st. Quentin In desperate fighting
he French have driven the enemy
rom the heights southeast of Char
ion-Vertl
Big Aerial Battle.
with The American Army North
vest of Verdun, Friday, Oct Aust |
lefore nightfaIl eight American pur-
juit planes encountered more that rs
enemy machines beyond the lines,
utiIe on a balloon shooting expedi- |
ion. The Americans had accom- |
,lfshed their mission when they ran |
INTO the big squadron OF German |
lirplanes. A fight followed, which |
asted more than is minutes, but i,
when 1t was concluded five of the
,nemy planes were downed and all |
nut one of the American squadron |
vas on it's way home safe.
Joseph Timmons, correspondent Tor |
Los Angeles. Cal, newspaper. while |
watching the battle from a hiIl In the |
egfon OF Epionville. was wounded ia |
he right cheek by a shell fragment |
his afternoon. Other Correspondents
,ssisted Tinmons to a dressing sta
ion. Surgeons said that the wound /
vas not serious.