The Delta independent., 1918-09-13
FIRST AMERICAN OFFENSIVE
STARTED YESTERDAY MORNING

By Fred S. Ferguson with the Am
ericans on the Metz front:-The first
American offensive started this morn
ing at five O'Clock between the Meuse
and the Moselle rivers. The attack
was carried out under Pershing's d.
rect command, the French assisting
on the right an dalso on the left.
The Americans have captured ten vii
lagos already and have advanced sew
eral kilometers on a fifteen kilometer
front.
The immediate object of the attack
is limited to a specified line. Much
is being accomplished with the tanks
which are being used in the attack.
1.-THE greatest number of American
troops and artillery yet involved in
any single operation is engaged in
this attack
Note.-Ferguson filed this dispatch
from St Mihie. which is on the Meuse
river directly in front of Metz. The
American line is within two or three
miles of german border at Lorraine =
and at some points the front actually
touches the Lorraine line The battle
front is about fifteen miles from Metz
which has been the American objec-
tive. II has been predicted that the
Americans may strike a blow aimed
toward the Rhine at this very point.
this being the shortest route TO the
Rhine industrial valley. The Meuse
and Moselle region is on the Toul
front. Metz is the most important
fortress in Lorraine. This front has
been the scene of American concen-
tration for months.
BY Ferguson, Sept. 1.-THE artil.
| lery and tanks so smashed the enemy
powerful first line that little infantry
resistance was encountered The.
prisoners said that they had been en-
pecting an attack but did not know
where or when II would be. The first
village was taken by the Americans
within 45 minutes ana the woods and
other strong points were soon enyel-
oped. The Americans first army air
reserves worked with the French and
assumed the offensive with the infan-
| try. At a. m. they reported that
not single boche plane remained in
the sky. The American observers
and bombers worked unmolested uu-
der the escort Of chaser planes and
everything within the sallent's so
kilometer was under the Americans
fire.
In addition. the artillery lombard
ment airplanes dropped bombs on all
railroad centers, bridges, hangers and
munition supply centers in the salient.
The American infantry attacked be-
hind heavy rolling barrage and were
timed TO 20 forward hundred meters
every 40 minutes.
Bulletin by J. w. T. Mason. United
Press expert. New Work. sept IL
The American offensive started
against the german positions south
west of Metz. Their objective may b..
Metz or the german gront in Lorraine
south OF Metz. in the general direc-
ton OF the Rhine. The probabfl is
that at present the Americans have
as their Immediate purpose the clos
ing up OF the St Mihiei salient, which
would throw the germans back of
Metz and straighten the allied from,
along the german frontier
The st. Mihiel salient is the most
dangerous pocket now remaining
along the whole german western front.
IL It's destruction is the immediate
purpose OF the American attack. an
assisting assault may be developed
by the Frenco-American forces occu-
pying the line on the west side of
the salient between St Mihiel and
| verdun.
The country has been very diff.
cult Tor military operations on ac-
count OF being so hilly and heavily
protected by the germans. II may
be that Hindenburg. in searching for
manpower. has decided to eventually
reiinquish the wedge OF TERRITORY
which Is occupied by /. b. Mihici. 1t
is probable that he has completed
ms preparations for this operation so
soon. therefore the Americans may
nave caught him off his guard by to-
days attack.