Evening journal., 1918-10-05
RY FREn S. FERGusON.


Omitted Press Staff Correspondent
WITH THE AMERICAN FIRST ARMY
Oct. 5.-Resumption OF the American
first army's attack on a 20 mile front
west Of the Meuse together with a flve
miles advance Of the Americans has
brought the Americans within smash
ing distance Of the German line at two
important positions on the western
front
on the Champagne The Americans
crossed The plains beyond Blanc Molt
and reached the outskirts of ST. kti-
enne-A Arnes increasing with the
French advances the possibilities Of
complete relief OF Rheims.
West OF the Meuse Gen Billiards
corps has reached the Kremhilde-Slel-
lung line. Troops from Illinois, Wis
consin, Pennsylvania, Virginia and
West Virginia in a piyOting movement
advanced more than mile and quar-
ter Regulars in cooperation, pro-
gressed more than three miles.
The attack west OF the Meuse, began
at 3 30 yesterday morning and by mid
afternoon H.ll 240, Genes, Fleville Che
scry and La Forges had fallen. Sc
we're counter attacks in the center were
repulsed with heavy losses and the
advance was fully maintained.
The attack was carried on success
fully in the Argonne despite the great
est difficulties The Boche had felled
trees and interlaced them with barbed
wire. Machine gun nests were clev-
erly concealed in this tangle. Tanks
cleaned these up.
Numerous explosions OF ammunition
dumps In the rear OF the enemy lines
gave additional evidence Of the losses
suffered by the Boche from our artil-
lerX FIRE.
Tho attack starting at some points
without artillery preparation, surprised
the Germans who were quickly dis
posed Of. But the enemy's heavy con-
centration Of artillery and machine guns
afforded a general stubborn resistance.
all day.
The MISUNDERSTANDING line was
reached first by a pivOting attack,
swinging nOrthwestward from the
Meusc
Every kilometer gained was won by
straight American punching power
sgsinst strong enemy divisions which
included guards
Two guard divisions have been badly
cut Up on the American front and one
bias been flied up with Landwehr
Troops.
The FTanco-American attack east OF
lRheims was pushed vigorously, the
French attacking on The American left
and following up our advance.
A determined enemy counter attack
was repulsed after a considerable ad-
vance had been made by the Franco
! Americans. The Boche put down bar
rage and the infantry started over, but
a counter barrage, together with rapid
lmachine gun and rifle fire sent the Ger
mans tumbling back with heavy losses.
The doughboys did not bulge an inch
from their new lines.
The enemy's hold was broken by the
capfure Of Blanc Mont, which was tax
en- with surprising rapldity, consider
,ng its strength. lt was a vast tangle
of wires. trenches and trees which had
ibeen improved and consolidated for the
last four years.
Before it was slope which had been
sfripped as bare as a skeleton. This
debouched into an open plain
The Franco-American artillery laid
down a barrage on the road leading to-
ward Blanc Mont all Thursday night
Even the hospitals were moved for
ward
One hospital unit which had been un-
der shelInre for three days, but whose
position became safe again through re-
rnovsl OF the German artillery asked
to be allowed to go forward so as to
enable quicker handling Of the wounded.
The capture Of Blanc Mont was OF
similar importance in this immediate
area as the fan Of Mont Faucon was
IN the Verdun region. These are two
important positions which have been
taken By the Americans within a week.
me Germans four-year grip on the
inattyred tity OF Rheims is now being
snaken by attacks with Americans par
tclpatlng
stood on height Just back Of the
front and saw the Franco- American
bsrraee rolling up great clouds Of dust