New-York tribune., 1918-10-07
Order to Advanced Troops
Dropped by Airplanes in
Champagne Battle
Hill No. 24O Taken
By u. S. Fighters
OutAank Strong Position
Which Germans Used
as Observatory

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
NORTHWEST OF VERDUN, Oct. .
(By The Associated Press).-German
forces fought with might and main to
save Hill. 240 from falling into the
bands of the Americans on Friday.
Even when the Americans commanded
the east, west and south slopes of the
height the enemy attempted to send up
reinforcements from the novth.
Americans who were in the fight as
sert that on one occasion the Germans
on top of the hill reised TIC white flag,
but when the Americans started for
ward the cnemy's guns reopened fire.
The Americans fell back and a re-
doubled rife and artillery fire was
opened on the position of the enemy.
Soon afterward the hill fell to the
American attackers.
This height is an important observa-
tion point, commanding positions for
miles over the plateau west of the
Meuse. 1t is shaped like an inverted
cup. On the north slope were the Ger
man artillery emplacements, the hill
being honeycombed with dugouts. This
area resembles an Indian village of
Arizona. Each dugout entrance was
found TO be protected by earthworks
strengthened with great wooden and
steel props.
Telescopes on Slope
On the summit of the hill and among
the cutters of shell-shattered stone
farmhouses were nests of machine
guns. On the southern slope the Ger
mans had erected a steel tower in which
they had installed powerful telescopes.
This tower was used when the instru
ments could not be used on the ground
during heavy artillery firing.
Throughout Friday the Americans
fought for possession of the hill, the
last German machine gunners not sur
rendering until toward evening. AS
the Americans advanced upon the
height they divided their forces so that
they fianked it on both sides.
After clearing Boyon Wood, the
Americans pressed on despite torrents
of machine gun bullets that were turned
against them by the concealed enemy.
Several times the Americans thought
the last German had been accounted
for, when the machine gun fire would
be reopened Then the American ar
tillery was called upon and the sum-
NIT and sides Of the hill were subjected
to an intense bombardment. American
rif1emen and machine gunners, from
positions to the west, south and east,
aided materially in the fight until the
last German fled over the top of the
hill.
During the battle, German ammuni-
tion wagons attempted to reach the
enemy forces, but they were caught by
rifle fire, many horses and drivers be-
ing killed and the rest being compelled
to retreat. German machine gunners
tried to protect the wagons, but they
were smothered by the American fire.
Our Gums Are Active
Big American guns are again firing
tonight upon Dun sur Meuse and vari-
Gus other points which the Germans
are using as headquarters or as rail
road centres. The Germans were re-
ported bringing up troops in the region
of Cunel, and heavy cannon began
pounding this region.
American forces holding Fays Woot
received by airplane this Afternoon
citations issued this morning commend
ing them for their gallant conduct in
taking the wood in spite of stiff German
resistance. Thousands of copies were
dropped by aviators at several Sfron,
line headquarters and they were then
distributed among the soldiers. The
citation reads:
"The corps commander, in general
orders, cites the gallant conduct Of
division, especially and infantry
brigades, in the seizure against great
difficulties of Fays Wood and the hold
ing of it against repeated and deter.
mined counter attacks between Septem.
Der 26 and October 5. You are there!
Stay there!"