The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-09-12
BLOW STRUCK AT
EMPIRES HEART.
Yankee Bayonets Flash Across
Battle Line Of Valley Of
MoseIIe.
STRIKE AT AUT0CRACY
Americans Making Drive for
Germany's Great Fortress
at Metz.
STRIKE AT AUT0CRACY
(By Fred J. wilson.)

(By Fred J. wilson)
New York. Sept. l2.-U. N. So
, Americas big blow has begun. YAM
kee bayonets, pointing straight at the
heart OF German autocracy, have
flashed across the battle line of the
valley OF the ,Moselle and her fighters
are surging forward on long prepared
lines to strike straight at the heart OF
Germany's greatest fortress, Metz. 1t
Is likely to be the first real stop on the
road TO Berlin.
.. German Autoeraey.
Today's blow Is no hasty or ill-con-
sidered stroke. Since early In the
spring. plans have been in existence to
deliver this particular blow. Prepa-
rations were begun for the advance
toward Metz from the regions behind
Toul. Nancy and Lunevillc. and only
the northern offensive by the Germans
and that later by the allies delayed
the American blow. l had the oppor-
tunity in May to witness the prepara-
tions being made for the smash
towards Metz. At that time great
many emplacements for bis guns were
already completed throughout the sec
ton of the American front which ex-
tended from Baccarat to the angle Of
the st. Mihiel salient aboue Commercy.
Miles upon miles of barbed wire en-
tanglements, brand new, covered the
whole country. and through the gaps
in these 1t was evident to even a nom
military eye that troops were planned
to move forward to the attack. Over
the whole face Of the country, battery
positions had been established.
camouflaged With Wire.
Every one of them was most care
f,,y xvit xvira natfinUS
covered with small limbs of trees. al
ready In position to hide them from
the eye OF any German gotha. In each
Of the hillsides all along the American
lines above Toul and Nancy were small
cayerns from which themouths of the
famous French 75's looked out toward
the north and Germany. There was
comparatively little dghting going on
ut that ime, but behind the lines of
the Americans and French hustle was
evident everywhere. II was perfectly
plain that an assault In force was con-
templated for the near future.
Not only was there every evidence
of an intention to attack from the
placing OF cannon. but feverish activity
prevailed along the lines OF aircraft
warfare, Great establishments were
being hastily constructed by the Amer
leans. the French. and the British, from
which an enormous force Of bombing
planes were l. evidently designed to
strike overs their lines into Germany.
Along every road in the whole region
iorries marked with the British broad
arrow, were drawn up In line and In
certain sections. the names OF which
cannot be revealed even today very
great collectios Of hangers were al
ready in place with avlators OF Ameri-
ca, England and France, busily train
ing for the expected onslaught.
Personally believed that at that
time that the attack would come with
In thirty days. 1t probably would have
come within thirty days had 1t not
been necessary to push back the Ger
mans from the regions. they overran
in their March offensive, The whole 1nne
region along the German line was then
alive with long lines Of French can
non and camions. It seemed at the
time that they were beikg rushed into
that territory in preparation Tor an
assault, but developments now snow
that instead of going In to take up
their positions. they were moving from
which had been secretly
taken up in anticipation of the big at
tack.
Much impatience was in evidence
among the American forces on the Sec
tor In May, because the push they all
saw coming did not seem likely to be
an American push.
"If they would only bunch us to-
gether and let us go IN, shoulder 10
shoulder, we'd try to show them that
the Yankees can do the job" was the
general impression. Today 1t seems
probable that the bulk OF the forces
which apparently are to strike UP the
valley of the Moselle are Yankees. Tney
have their chance at last and 1t Is not
100 much to prophesy that they will
10 the job.
For weeks past nothing was con-
templated. have watched with the
greatest interest reports OF the bomb
nr by Americans of Thieucourt. Chom.
,iey. Confians and Thionville. All
.hese attacks upon the communications
If the Germans were evidently pre-
oaratory to the move ! have been ex-
,ecting since May. Now that 1t has
,ome there will be stiff fighting. but
here "a a good passage toward Metz
IN the valley from Pont- a Mousson..
From the American lines 1t Is only
bout thirty miles to Metz. There are
rood roads, but the country adjoining
a rolling, we'll wooded and compare
iycly easy of defense. The American
mash will not prove easy. Inc Ger
mans will undoubtedly ngnt nhEu' ~
nav be that no serious ATTEMPT VIII
70 made to drive through TO Metz AT
his time, but n early reports or the
tack prove that stroke has been
made both from the 1roul-Nancy sec
or simultaneously with the blow from
5erdun, it is almost a certainty that
he famous st. Mihiel. salient will he
,inched out at the verv least. No one
;nows or can know the number OF
americans and French which have
cen massed to make this blow: HOW
cen regarded by Gen. Pershing as the
rat great smash to be made by his
roops and 1t Is safe to say. that ne
nd sMrashai Foch have made the'r
lans SO we'll that success VIII surely
ONE.
AsEeALL ON DECK
AS USUAL NEXT SPRING