The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-10-04
id British in Capture of Coal
Mining Centre-Prepare to
Operate Mines at Once
MINING MACHINERY
HELD IN READINESS
Will Mine Coal for u. S. Troops
When German Gun Fire Is
Stopped-Push Huns Back
(sy The Associated Press)


reports today told only Of the evaeua-
tion Of Armentieres and Lens, officers
here confidently expect this phase of
withdrawal must be expanded to the
south at once. Under this threat the
British have pushed their lines north
eastward between the Scarpe and
Csmbrai. With the evacuation of
coal regions of northern France is
ioosened.
There are indications that American
coal mining units equipped with most
modern machinery will be ready to
enter the mines as fast as the armies
force the enemy behind. Reoecupation
Of the mines has already been figured
in computing the fuel needs this win
ter. Gen. Pershing's forces probably
will get part of their coal from this
source.
(By The Associated Press)
With the American Army North
west of verdun, Wednesday, Oct. q
Violent artillery firing developed
along the center of the American line
between the Meuse and the Aisne to-
day. The Germans also bombarded the
American positions on the right, near
the Meuse, to a limited extent, but on
the extreme left there was a sisnif-
cant silence for the greater part OF
the day. Along this sector of the
front the positions held by the Amer
leans follow zig gag line. The num-
ber of Germans near the ArgOnne for
est is less than that fighting on the
eastern side. General Gouraud's drive
west of the forest. together with the
advance of the Americans to the east
of it, threatens to cut off the enemy
units still ilinging to the wooded
hills south of Grand Pre-.
No general offensive was undertaken
by the Americans today. It has been
learned that the enemy expected a
is attributed his heavy artillery fire.
This fire was particularly heavy, gas
and high explosives and shrapnel
shells being used.
They were fired both from in front
Of the Americans and from across the
MeuSe. At times this fire took on
the character of barrage. but it was
concentrated, for the most part on
the fighting line. 1t was shifted dur
ing the day to the center of the line
and later moved far to the right.
FORCES being savagely she1led until
counter battery work decreased the
volume of fire. The Americans have
responded with a vigorous fire which
punished the enemy severely. At va
rious points minor infantry clashes
occurred, both sides using machine
guns.
Aviators Hampered.
All day the sky was very cloudy and
aviators were hampered in their This
forced the armies to work without ma
terial assistance from the observers.
At one point the Germans succeeded
in getting airplaneS across the line.
Smoke bombs were dropped, indicat-
ing American positions to the enemy
gunners. One American aviator. at
tackled by seven Fokkers, fought his
way out, bringing down one enemy
machine. According to the calcula-
tions of one airman, it is shown that
in 1916 pilots in the aviation section
Of the allied armies flew an aggregate
Of $4,000 miles.
In September of this year, one
squadron alone flew for an aggregate
cred a total of 500, 900 miles. This
does not include numerous trial
fights.
Anticipating sharp fall weather, the
staff ordered sleeveless leather coats
issued to the greater part Of the men
at the front. These coats are lined
with felt and are worn over the uni
forms They keep out the wind and
turn the rain. They have proven to
be one of the most popular articles of
wear with the men.
Take Much Booty.
Much booty has fallen into the
hands OF the Americans, including an
electric power station at Varennes. It
is estimated that it must have cost
over $4,000 o equip this plant with
water power. The Germans left so
hurriedly that they did not demolish
the machinery and the Americans are
using it. Americans are also utiliz-
ing miles OF telephone wire and some
central exchange material which has
been left in position by the retiring
enemy.
The latest summary of the material
captured shows 120 guns of all calf
bre; $50 trench mortars; 300 machine
guns; 100 anti-tank guns; thousands
of shells and hundreds of thousands
Of rounds OF small arm ammunifin,