The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-17
GRAND PRE- TAKEN
BY THE AMERICANS
German Stronghold North Of
Argonne Forest Falls to
Liggett's Men.
DAY OF HARD FIGHTING
Enemy Resisted StubbOrnly
With Newly Organized Units
Thrown Into Line.
By the Associated Press.


WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY NORTH
WEST OF vERDuN. Oct. 16.--The Ameri-
can troops to-day occupied the town OF
Grand Pre-. on the north bank of the
Are River. north of the Argonne forest
Since early last night rain has fallen
ing roads and trenches into muddy
canals. Aviation was impossible to-day,
and the artillery fire was directed en-
tirely by maps. except in rare instances
when direct fire was used.
Grand Pre- is only a village and its
normal population Is less than 1900, but
the place is OF great strategic impor-
lance. It Is the junction of the rail-
man army and lies at the head Of the
Argonne forest. near the confluence OF
the Aire and the Aisne.
Armies Are Now Joined.
After their long struggle for mastery
in the Arsonne woods the Americans
moved several companies Of infantry
over the Aire River. which cuts across
the northern end of the wood south of
Grand Pre-, and under cover of heavy
artillery fire moved, almost without
stopping, along the eastern flank of the
position and into the town.
On the western side the French had
advanced along the roads. mixing pos
sible a junction of the American First
Army and the French Fourth Army.
There has been comparatively little
lighting on the remainder of the Amer
lean front, although some progress has
been made to the east of the Mouse.
The German position along the Amer
lean centre has been subjected through
out the day to a steady harassing artil-
lery fire, supplemented by gas. but ex-
cept for the capture OF La Musarie farm
and minor movements the infantry was
not called into action.
Enemy Resistance Stubborn.
The Germans continued their resist
ance to-day against the advance of the
American forces on this front, the
strength OF the opposition fully equalling
that of yesterday.
With machine guns, some artillery
fire and minor counter attacks the Ger
mans interposed desperate resistance to
Pershing's men all along the line
All the counter attacks were easily
repulsed. They had the appearance. be-
cause of the small numbers of men en-
pioyed, of being efforts to throw con-
fusion into. the American ranks in order
TO gain time.
The principal American activity this
morning was on the left OF the battle
sector. There was some activity In the
district east of the River Meuse The
enemy threw gas shells into the Cha
tillon Woods last night and bombarded
Tuileries Farm
The advance of the Americans yes
terday has been maintained everywhere
and some slight gains were recorded
during the night. The forward elements
Of the American troops. consisting of
machine gunners, are occupying or
ganized shell holes.
The confusion among the German
units. due to the amalgamation of vari-
Gus organizations. increases daily. Even
this method does not prevent the
strength Of the units from decreasing
steadily.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16.-Substantial
gains on both sides of the Mouse
against stubborn resistance by n reen-
forced enemy was reported to-day by
Gen. Pershing in his bulletin for Tues
day.
The despatch follows:
Our troops to-day continued their
attack on both sides of the Mouse.
encountering stubborn resistance from
a reinforced enemy. East OF the
Mouse French and American troops
have gained ground. West of the
river the fighting has increased in
violence and our troops have made
substantial gains, including Hill 299.
which changed hands three times.
We have broken the Kriemhiid-
lung line at new points, where our
men closed with the enemy In a Sc
ries Of hand to hand encounters in
which theu tnnlc 1,riannnra