The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-09-14

/ Vigneulles. where they met the other
American forces smashing in from the
south, thus completing the closing Of
the sack. Our front now runs
through Norroy, Jaulny, Xammes, St
Benoit, HaJonvIlsa. IIRnn"nNille ami
Herbeuville. All the territory behind
that line is under control of the
Americans.
The number OF prisoners and guns
taken as Pershing's troops swept on
increased with great rapidity. All
our detectives were attained ncSord-
ing to schedule.
"we're going E.Pong," was the re-
port from a certain already famous
division regarding the progress Of its
attack shortly after the offensive
opened. From the start of the drive
II was evident the prisoners would
number thousands When 5000 to
1000 had already been counted, re-
ports came into headquarters from all
directions telling of groups OF 200,
800 and 500 more on their way to the
rear.
CPershing's latest official report
gave the number of prisoners counted
as 13,300).
Eighteen hundred prisoners, includ-
ing eight officers, were taken when
Th1auCOuTI Iell.
were included in another bag. Num-
erous machine guns have been seized.
One infantry detachment charged and
captured an entire battery Of field
guns which were firing on them. Two
six-inch cannon were also taken, IN
dicating that the gun haul is I'M
doubtedly heavy.
Battery Captured.
One. tank captured a battery OF field
pieces, five machine guns, and Is men.
Sergeant Graham sat on top Of the tank
during this operation Some German
batteries when they fell into the hands
of the Americans were stin In their
camoufiaged positions The Germans
had not had enough time to attempt TO
removed them
Refugees are being sent back from
several towns after remaining in them
during the four-year German occupa-
ton
Secretary Baker. General Pershing.
and General Petain entered St Mihtel
shortly after the enemy had fed from
It. The Inhabitants greeted them with
enthusiasm. They said he Germans had
carried on a large number Of men and
boys aged sixteen to fortyhve The
two banks In the city were looted By
the enemy. - Practically all the houses
were pIundered. Inhabitants said the
Germans had squeezed them for con-
tribution OF million francs.
So fast did the Americans travel when
they hit the German line that all OBJ
Jectives designated for the first day
were reached early in the afternoon In
that short time the salient was pushed
in four or 1--WE miles along Its whole
front
The effect Of Pershing's victory is to
free Nancy, the little Paris of France.
from the menace of German guns for
the first time since 1914 1t also opens
the important Nancy-Verdun railroad.
greatly Strengthening allied communi-
cations.
Pannes Captured.
Prisoners reported they had been
ordered to hold permanently a line
north of Pannes, IL possible. other
wise to Withdraw to the Hindenburg
line positions. Shortly after they re-
ceived this command the Americans
captured Pannes.
Despite the mud, the American tank
crews made an excellent showing on
their first appearance. They pre-
ceded the infantry attacks at several
different points. They were smash
ing through heavy belts OF barbed
wire, and crawled over German
trenches that had stood for four
years. Afterward they aided in mop
ping up" the numerous captured
towns. The Colonel of the tank fleet
was so anxious to fight aboard one
OF his land battleships that his super
for detailed two other officers to keep
him from so doing.
Allied supremacy in the air was
quickly won and remained ours 4
heavy rain poured. but in spite OF
this. the French and American air
planes dominated the sky. When the
boches attempted to send up two
observation balloons, they were quick
ly shot down.
AS the German lines began giving
way, explosions were heard in the
rear. They continued all during the
first day.
IncesSaRt Smelling.
Most Of them were due to the accurate
firing OF our artillery. All night our
batteries kept up their incessant Smelling
Of the enemy's back areas.
On the western side OF the salient.
where a sharp wedge was driven in to
meet the main assault coming up from
made through the most difficult fighting
country and against strong resistance.
The effect Of the German defeat was
felt even on the eastern side OF the
Aoselle river. where enemy troops were
forced to evacuate the bend in the
stream. American patrols occupied the
abandoned trenches.
BY the strategy OF the American at
tack. the Germans we're Obliged to
evacuate Montsec without a fight TO
keep from being cut OF. Montsec Is n
huge peak dominating the entire terri
tory. French patrols climbed to its
summit after the enemy fed. II was
reported that great quantities OF sup
plies were found intact. and II was ex-
pected many guns would be discovered
there.
Stnrt Big Fires.
As they fell back the Germans started
big fires in Pannes and in VigneuIles
wood. where they had supplies they
couldn't remove.
Fighting in the pocket was far differ
ent from that which the Americans en-