Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-18
ltnauishment of large section with

/ liAauishment of \ large section with.
out a bitter struggle.
! Reports brought in by aviators as
4 well as information obtained from pris-
oners and verified by patrols show the
{ Germans are Strengthening their
: tfenches along the Hindenburg line.
but there is nothing to show they are
Reinforcing their lines to degree
that might indicate a strong counter
rhovemont.
Patrols sent out by the Americans
nave been successful, not only In re-
Jbnnaissance, but in bringing in pris-
aners. Many OF the PRISONERS were
!,ragglers. but among them were the
, ttews OF several lost or isolated ma
been taken from countering patrols.
. There was much German. activity to-
, lay on the extreme right OF the line.
} Where the enemy vigorously shelled
, md gasscd the woods north of Pont-
Il Mousson and in the vicinity of Mar
10y. Machinc-Gun action north of
,utillery was active from Haumont to
! the Mon PiasSir farm. To the east of
Noselle there has been some skirm!sh-
~. hut il was of little consequences
Fhe allied ou,posts are gradually push
.g toward that region.
y The comparative ease with which the
sermans were driven from the posi-
ions they had held for more than
alree years is believed in some quar-
ters to have been result OF under
estimating the ability OF the Ameri-
aans. II is considered possible they
nay have expected General Pcrshing's
troops. carried away by enthusiasm, 10
irerstep the limits of prudence by ad-
: vancinG into region where they might
/, hav We been forced TO sacrifice large num-
bcrs of men or to retire. II has been
specifically stated. however. that the
lion was one for limited objec
lives only.
1 ~
DISBaNDED TO FILL GAPS
One hundred and eight German in
fHry batialions. equivalent TO twenty
divisions, have been disbandcd. it is
harmed. In order to fill the gap made
" the past years lighting. Women
ind boys are being called TO the aux
diary service 20 replace men. Five
thousand women have already been
!,oh;l;zed for this purpose. and boys
/, fourteen are being utilized
Captured officers say that Germany is
terry tired OF the war and no longer
topes to do more than keep what is its
..wn
Enemy aeria, activity has shown
ccided slowing UP in the past twenty
our hours. partly because of the aE-
gressiveness OF Americans flyers and
partly because ali the airdromes behind
the German lines have been greatly
damaged in the persistent bombardment
they have undergone. Allied co-opcra-
tioHSin bombing operations has been
Notable contribution 10 the success of
t,hs, offensive. French patrols ycster-
dag engaged in eleven comhats. bring
irS down one plane and four ohscrva-
tion balloons. The American pursuit
"roup had six combatS. sending down
three planes. Reconnaissance machines
'ook photographs and directed artil-
cry fire.
Bombing planes dropped more than
eleven tons Of bombs on Lonruvon.
Dehunery and Barroncourt. and two
torfS- on Contains and Audun. Ohsrrv-
"rs reportcd the damage at Contains
WIZ especially heavy. All enemy CEN
'ers in this section have been seriously
'"m'Eed In the past few days.
The American line on the Lorraine
f-out on Tuesday afternoon stood as
,rhws:
:. RcnvauH Manhculles. Pintheville ST
Hhaire. Donconrt. Wool. Haumont a
"oirt between Iaulnv and Remberrourt
"orth Of Wanderers and south OF Cham
~ To tho Old line east OF Pont-a-
N'ousson.