The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-12-13

with the Somme, and the Chemin-des-
Danes; and they knew that IN them
depended the fate of the great attack
on the rest Of the front. If forced
back here, the enemy must give way
to the west. If he held he could hold
elsewhere.
Use Up Enemy Reserves.
1t was at daybreak Of September 28
when the Americans went In. Using
nine divisions for the preliminary at
tack and under vigorous artillery sup
port, they advanced FIVE kilometers the
first day. But the enemy was not
taken wholly by surprise. The second
day he threw into the line Eve counter
attack divisions he had held in close
reserve. They were his best troops,
but they failed not only to push the
Americans back but they failed
to check the gradual advance Of the
Americans over the difficult terrain.
The first phase Of the action ended
October 81, during which the American
gains were not large, but they COM
PEELED the enemy to use a large num-
Der Of divisions, which became slowly
exhausted and thus were unable to
parry the hammering he was receiving
from the French and British on the
west.
1t was bitter fighting in the woods,
brush, and ravines, over a region per-
fectly registered and plotted by the
enemy, where his guns, big and lit.
tie, could be used with the greatest
efficiency. The original nine American
divisions In some cases were kept i'm
the line over three consecutive weeks.
The American reserves then were
thrown in until every division not en-
gagged on another part Of the line had
been put into action.
Many Green Troops Used.
1t is a fact commented upon with
pride by the American commanders
and complimented by the allies that
seven of these divisions that drove
their way through this hard action
never before had been In an active
sector, while green troops, fresh from
home, were poured in as requirements.
The Associated Press dispatches
from day to day told what these men
did; how the enemy was slowly pushed
back from his strongest and most vital
positions, through one defense system
after another, using his finest selected
troops, which had been withdrawn In
many instances from other portions
of the line in an effort to hold an en-
envy which he de~risively said last
spring could not be brought to Europe,
and If so could not fight, and ever If
he tried to fight would not know how
to do so.
The attack delivered the morning of
November 1, which began the second
phase of the Argonne battle, was the
death blow to the German army. Be-
tween September 26 and October 81
enemy divisions to the number of SO
were identified as being opposed to the
Americans In this sector. Between
November 1 and November 6 the enemy
threw In IA fresh divisions, but all In
vain.
Fighting every foot of the way, the
American advance averaged FIVE kilo-
meters daily over terrain constantly
growing more difficult, with the lines
OF communication and supply daily
frightening and alternating, while
roadmakers for the transport and 9TH
er supply organizations worked day
and night at their tasks.
Day by day the official communica-
tions and the telephones, even to the
farthest advance line, told the Ameri-
cans that for every mile the Germans
gave way before them they were yield.
ing another mile to the British and
French on the left; that the American
pressure was felt like an electric cur.
rent throughout the line.
Germans Admit Break Through.
On the morning of November 2 the
German official communication told
the Americans they had won, because.
for the first time In the war, the en-
envy officially admitted that the Ameri.
can attack had effected a break
through. The Americans knew that
what finally happened on the morning
Of November IL, when the armistice
was signed, was only a question of
days.
On Monday morning the general
commanding a certain division was
called to the telephone in a far adj
vanced position and asked II he had
understood that hostilities were to
have ceased at IL o'clock In the morn.
Ing"
"Yes," replied the general. II did
But at 0:58 we were going like hell"