The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-10-12
Attack Began Slowly.

Attack Began Slowly,
With the American Army North
west of Verdun. Friday, Oct. 11.-
Today's attack from the Meuse "a
| the Argonne forest developed slowly
and until afternoon threatened to be
aboftiVe. AT the start the Germanh
were able to pour in such rain
of machine gun bullets and shells
from light and heavy artillery that
the Americans made virtually no ad-
vance at all, especially in the center
of the line.
German opposition was heavy
everywhere except on the extreme
right Of the American line where the
troops were advancing slowly up the
river. They worked their way into
CuneI wood, taking 55 willing pris-
oners in the forest north Of the
Cunel- -BrieuIles road.
On the other hand the troops on
the left had the stiffest kind of fight
ing in today's advance. They found
themselves held up south of St
and artillery fire from hill 1872,
northeast of the town. The Ameri-
cans pushed forward in spite Of
everything and began an encircIing
movement to take hill 1872, They
forced their way across the St
Georges st. Juyin road and moved
through Negremont woods under the
heaviest fire and fighting every step
Of the way. The American artillery
opened fire on hill 1872 while the in
fantry advanced on either side of
this commanding position, creating
what might be termed the st. JuVin-
Champigneulle salient. This was
obliterated later in the afternoon
when the Germans retreated from
st. Juvin and abandoned the hill.
Even more severe fighting took
place in the center where the troops
were at first unable to advance from
the position gained yesterday between
Mamelle trench and Roman. The
American artillery finally siIenced
the opposition. swept with fire the
treacherous underbrush about the
wood and advanced.
Good Team Work.
With the American Army North
west Of Verdun, Friday, Oct. IL.
Reuters)-In closing Grand Pre- gap
1t was the French who actually en-
tered Grand Pre- station but it was
the American advance east OF the
Argonne and their capture OF Marc
and Chevteres that made the occu
patton possible.
The Germans timed their retreat
from the Argonne with their custo-
mary skill. showing us but little Of
their last line Of troops. They also
made a complete job OF destroying
and blocking the main roads by
means Of mines and felIed tinbers.
Little is likely to remain of Grand
Pre- station. the enemy having she'll
ed it to complete the destruction
wrought by fire. All OF the German
counter attacks have been repulsed
without any ground being yielded.
Crown Prince Moves On,
Paris, Oct. 1.-THE Americans are
closing on Dun-Sur Meuse. while
their left wing is within hve miles
of BuZancy. says Marcel Hutin inI
The Tcho de Paris, Continuing. he
says that important events which
will change the entire face OF things
may be expected in this part OF the
Woevre front.
Orders found on prisoners, saag IA.
Hutin. show that the enemy was In
structed to resist on the Suippe river
front until the 18th at least I'm order.
TO save all the material possible and
to enable the adjacent armies to
conduct an orderly retreat General.
GouTaud's attack upset this plan.
Although the Germans had 25 divfs-
ions in the Champagne sector, IL OF
which were fresh. the fear OF being
rushed caused them to decline bat
tie. The crown prince has moved
his headquarters from Mezieres in
hot haste.