The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-10-23
HUNS USE TORCH
WEST OF MEUSE
Towns turning North Of pos|-
tons Held by Americans.
SURRENDER TO OUR MEN
Americans Active Cleaning Out Cap
tured Positions and STRENGTHENING
positions-Attack on Small Sale.

With The American ArnE North
west of Vrrdun. Oct. - h. towns
of BrieulleS e~h Clery-le-P@i.l. along
the western bank of III" NeuSe ara
north of the American line, are report
ed burning.
There was little fighting activity.
The Germans homharded the Amerl-
cans left with mustard and other %aS
shells, but made no effort to lombard
the new positions gained by the Amer
leans Monday. This indicates the pos
sibilitv that he has Withdrawn MS
big guns in that area.
Two explosions occurred iii dHgouts
TO Chatel Chehery from mines left
behind by the Germans when they
were driven out of the town two
weeks ago.
Prisoners captured were from all
divisions known In be oppoSi," the
American lines. The twenty-"f"hth
German. or "Flying Shock Division,
annarenlIv is no longer being used
against the Americans on this sector.
The American attack. though on a
comparativeIy small scale, was en-
tirely successful.
The Bots de Rappe and a formid-
able hill. No. 300, both points at Stra-
tegic importance, were l"-".'d a&a
cleared of the enemy within three
hours. despite unusual machine gun
opposition.
The artillery on both sides was
fairly active throughout the day and
the aviatorS were up from early UNI!
late. but the infantry action was con-
fined to two local operations.
The advance on the Bots de Rap
pa began just before noon.
The wood was infested with ma
chine guns. which were not entirely
eliminated by the brief prepare DRY
Smelling. Des., lite every effort of the
Germans, however. the Americans
steadily forced their way ahead, driv-
ing the enemy before them. and at
three o'clock in the-aftCrrOon were in
comrletp possess on of the wood
Hill 300 fell almost simultaneously
with the Bots de Rape, which out
thanked it.
The Germans, consequently, retired
hastily from the height when il ap-
peared that the Americans had been
successful in forcing their passage
through the wood. But $50 Germans
were taken prisoners.
Another minor success for the
Americans was the expulsion of the
enemy from his last positions in Ban
theville wood. He had hung omit the
northern edges of this machine gun
stronghold from which it was possible
to direct a harassing enfiladin@ fire.
Immediately west of the Meuse the
Americans consolidated their positions
overnight, Notwithstanding the actfvf-
ty of German guns of various calibres.
In the line-straightening process an
American battalion captured n little
thicket to the east of the Bots de Rap
pes and took several prisoners, includ-
ing two officers. The prisoners said
they believed peace would come soon.
There was considerable enemy troop
movement in both sides Of the Mouse
Although the day was cloudy, there
also was much aerial activity.
The first signs of weakening OF the
German forces which have been offer
ing the stubbornnest resistance to the
American advance was shown when
three German officers leading an en-
tire German company came directly
into the American lines and surren-
dered. This is the first time that cap
tives have been taken without a strug-