The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-10-24
HUN DEFENSES
CRUMBL|NC
Town on West Bank MeuSe
Torn From Enemy Grasp.
NEW DENT IN GERMAN LINE
German Forces Fighting Desperately,
But in Vain, to Hold the American
Advance

Advance.
With the American Army, North
west of Nerdun, Oct. 24.-The town Of
BrieulleS, on the western bank of the
Mouse, which has been stubbornly de-
Tended by the Germans, has been
given up by the enemy.
This is the latest point at which the
Americans have driven a dent into
the German defenses, despite the fact
that the enemy resistance is still as
strong as formerly.
The Germans set fire to BrieulleS
and American patrols have reported
the Germans had withdrawn.
Heavy fighting is taking place near
Grandpre, on the western end Of the
American sector. A bitter struggle
also is in progress in the center of
the line The Germans are holding
Bantheville in strength. Along the
ntheville-Aincreville road, every
available point has been fortified with
machine guns.
Throughout the night the Germans
bOmbarded the greater part of the
American front and roads far to the
rear.
Improved visibility resulted in a
greater aerial activity.
Unless they are saved by their plea
for peace the Germans will be sub
iected to steady hammering along the
greater part of the western front
throughout the winter.
Indications are that it is not in
tended to give them a breathing spell,
notwithstanding weather conditions. 1t
is pointed out decreased activity will
enable the Germans TO recuperate to
such Il degree as to make certain a
prolongation of the struggle.
During previous winters the enemy
has been able to rest up his forces and
repIeniSh his supplies, especially am
munition and there is no reason to
believe he would not avail himself
of the same opportunity now and to
Il much greater advantage.
There are two places on the front
where it is conceded that military op-
tually impossible, but American Off
GERS insist that Is per- eent the
front offers no real obstacle to Con-
tinuance of the fight. 1t is not ques-
toned that operations will be slowed
down, but, even so, the advantage will
he with the attacking side, especially
since ii is known German material Is
growing Scarcer
1t is to be expected that they will
continue to deliver short smashing
iolts against the pivotal center of the
long sweeping line.
The gains made between the Amer
lean front and the sea are conceded
to he due in large measure to the
menacing demonstration by the Amer
leans and by the enforced employment
by the Germans of thirty divisions
here.
The enemy will be compelled to
continue to mass forces of men and
materials in front of General Perish
ing's troops at the expense of other
places, because to fail to hold the line
between the Meuse and Grandpre
would endanger an enormous area.
The spirit of the Americans is un-
broken by the determined opposition
of the Germans and both officers and
men speak confidently of the day
when they will break through to the
vital connecting road extending west
wardly through Stenay.
Daily counter attacks by the Ger
mans reflect the desperate character
of their defense. Rugged, wooded
hills which serve as natural aids are
supplemented by the most elaborately
prepared series of defenSeS on the
western front. Around the big arc
the lines of resistance converge as
they approach Verdun. In front of
the Americans they are almost with
in rifle shot of each other.
The clear weather permitted some
aerial work and the Americans down
ed a Hanover biplane at Bayonville,
n.::mpler at Buzancy and a balloon in
he vicinity of Tally.