El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-09-27
YANKS KEEP UP
BIC OFFENSIVE
American Advance, Which
Was Launched Thursday,
Continues With Success.
Continued from page IL
died away, the pursuit airpIanes
were over the German lines.

were over AAG herman lines.
The clouds made it appear improb-
able that there would be any great
display by the aviators and the fog
seemed TO hide the enemy. but, flying
at height Of less than 700 yards, the
alrmen swept down on the German
troops in the line and on the roads.
wagon trains were attacked and
dead horses and dead men blocked the
path OF those who shortly afterward
sought avenues Of retreat As the
skies cleared, the observers appeared.
with their fighting escorts. and aided
materially in correcting the aim Of
the artillery. " hich had never ceased
IT'S vigorous, harassing fire.
Gas Shells Effective.
Gas shells were used plentifully by
the Americans in only a few in
stances, but when they were used the
work was done effectively. One Of
the places subjected to a heavy gas
attack was Vauquois. That historic
place was known to be well fortified.
There was reason to believe that the
Germans might utilize the 30 miles OF
subterranean passages in the neigh
DOrhOOd. IT was flooded with gas
clouds and then enveloped by artillery
fire Gas also was used against GER
tain woods, around which the Ameri-
cans afterward marched. instead Of
going directly through them
Tank Men Escape Traps.
Information obtained only the day
before the attack enabled the officers
Of the tank detachments to escape the
traps constructed at several places
and also the batteries OF antitank
guns
BY midafternoon every division
headquarters began TO look like a
prison camp Groups Of German pris-
oners, from a half dozen to 100, ap-
peared at the headquarters at inter
walls After being lined up and Ques-
toned, they were sent TO the deten-
tion camps in the rear. For the most
part, the captured men were cheer
ful; some apparently were joyful
Many OF the prisoners were taken
in combat. but the greater part OF
them had been forced to take cover
under the smother barrage and had
comrades. With them IL was a case
Of appraised hands
Several Officers were captured.
but in this battle, rs in previous
engagements. the officers were
lEveI1 in the rear when the retire
ment begnn.
Every objective was made accord
ing TO schedule and in some cases
ahead Of time. The first objective
was gained just 40 minutes after the
Americans started. The French, on
the left. also kept up a swinging
stride.
Information reaching the inteTi-
gence officers indicated that the Ger
mans had expected the attack to be
made elsewhere.
Allied aTiators continued busy
the day behind the Ger
man lines. attacking various targets
Several tons OF explosives were
dropped on the town Of Dun sur
Meuse-
Foe Lines Well Prepared.
The lines from which the Germans
were forced were excellently prepared
and il would have caused no surprise
had the enemy offered such resist
ance as to make his withdrawal
question Of days instead Of hours.
Across the valley OF the Aire the en-
envy had lines which had taken
months to prepare. but the American
artillery and infantry forced the Ger
mans to abandon them within less
than three hours.
The first enemy line was taken
with n rush in few minutes, the
second line Offered greater resist
unce and ut the third line the Ger
mans put up n fight that promised
10 delay the advance. !
However, the progress OF the Amerl-
ans was checked only briefly. One
.avine in the path Of the attack con-
aimed massed machine guns Which
poured a hot fire into the advancing
roops, but without breaking the line
Bombardment Spectacular.
with the American Army on the
yhampagne front. Sept 27.-(Reut- !
s)-Wednesday nights lombard
nent Of the German lines, preparatory /
10 the attack begun Thursday morn /
ne. was a magnificent spectacle Il I
vas a cloudless night and thousands I
II guns. all firing furiously, wreatned /
he hills in a ceaseless sparkle OF /
lame like myriads Of fireflies
For six hours the roar Of the
cannon, like the roll OF giant
drum. was unbrOken.
The enemy is reported to have Deen
Of an attack someW mere
n the Champagne sector or toward I
3riey, and for the past 10 days vas
Watching this front closely During
he IS hours preceding the attack, ne
lad Increased his reserves in this re-
ion from four to % divisions.
pr11ssian guards defending Nauqois.