Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-09-27
EVERY OBJECTIVE REACHED.
Americans Plunge Forward in Face Of
Machine Gun Fire;
rR.. 4ha A.aon;afa6 PIASs


Machine Gun Fire;
rBy the Associated Press.1
With the American Army on the
verdun Front, Sept. 26.--The Ameri-
can troops took the Germans some
what by surprise by the speed OF their
attack today and without giving the
enemy time to ,ecuperatA they pushed
him steadily s,orthward-
This evening tie Americans between
the Argonne and the Meuse had
reached Maiancourt, Montafaucon.
Cuisy, Dannevoux and other townA
along that line.
The example Of intrepidity set by
the Pennsylvania, Kansas and Mis-
souri, troops was followed by the mon
in the other American units. The op-
position met At Danneuoux and other
points Indicated the German resistance
waspbecoming stronger and it was ap-
parent the enemy had had time to
place in position some-of the artillery
withdrawn earlier in the day.
Mud HampsrsT Tanks.
Late in the afternoon the German
aerial activity increased, indicating q
determination to check what had de-
veloped SO rapidly into . sweeping ad-
vance. The work OF the tanks brought
praise from the staff \omicers Tho
machines, however, were unable to dis
play their abilities to the fullest extent
because OF the boggy condition Of the
terrain.
The ground had been softened by re-
cent rains and as the country natural
ly Is swampy the terrain was found to
be too soft in many places. Many tanks
became stalled in the mud but they
were not, damaged, as the infantry had
driven the enemy well northward.
Airmen Crsats Havoc.
A most spectacular feature Of the
operations was the work OF the aerial
units. The aerial observers were able
to accomphs', uttle before afternoon
but before the efforts Of tho first bar
rage had died tho pursuit AirpsAnes
were over the German lines. Tho
clouds made 1t improbable there would
be any great display by tho aviatpn,
and the fog Goemed to hide tho enemy.
but flying at height of less than TO
yards the airrnen swept down on the
GeEman troops in tho line and on the
roads. Wagon trains were attacked
and dead horses and debris blocked thu
roads Of retreat.
AS tho skies cleared the observers
appeared with their fighting escorts
and aided materially with correcting
the aim Of the artillery. which had
never ceased It's vigorous fire. Gas
shells were uSed by the Americans in
only a few instances, but when they
were used the work was done effec-
lively.
Driven Out By Gas.
One Of the places subjeated to q
heavy gas attack was Vauquois, Th,t
historic place was known to be well
fortified. THERE was reason to beliova
tho Germans might utilize tho forty
miles Of subtcrrnnean passages In the
neighbofhooA 1t was flooded with gas
clouds and then enveloped by artillery
flre. Gas also was used against GER
tain woods around which the Amer
leans afterYvard marched
Information obtained only the day
before the attack enabled the officers
Of the tank detachment to escape traps
constructed at several places and also
anti-tank guns.
Many Prisoners Taken.
BY mid Afternoon every division
headquarters began to look like prison
camp. Groups OF prisoners from half a
dozen to 100 began to appear at head
quarters at intervals After being
lined up and questioned they were sent
on to detention camps in the rear. e
For the most part the captured men
were cheerful, some apparently werc
joyful. Many Of the prisoners were
takenN in combat but the greater part
of them were forced to take cover uIl-
der the Tharr1xe and were left behind