The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-11
US. AIR BOMBS
BLAZE WAY FOR
MEUSE ASSAULT
Fighting in ArgOnne Sector
Develops Into Heaviest
of the War.
STIFF RESISTANCE NET
Woods Bristling With Ma
chine Guns Forced by Amer
lean Infantry.
STIFF RESISTANCE Me-

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY NORTH
WEST OF vERpuN. Oct. lots way
blazed over a wide area by aerial bomb
ers, the American army again moved
slightly forward to-day into tho terri
tory held by the Germans. The aciators
who participated in the brilliant offen-
sive that began late yesterday flow over
the enemy lines this afternoon and re-
ported dozens of towns still smouldering
and a significant quiet in extended areas
which until now had been the scenes
Of enemy activity.
The aerial operations for the last
twenty-four hours have been far the
greatest ever attempted. The towns
bombed included those from the point
furthest east in the Franco-American
positions beyond tho Meuse to Metz
This expedition was carried out with
the loss Of only one man.
Observers told the officers at head
able to eco any movement on the roads
where ordinarily German transports are
moving. and In towns where their pres
ence had not even been reported other
wise American troops had been seen
bivouacking. Here and there an enemy
battery was observed, but all reports
agreed that in the greater part Of what
had been the Germans advanced area
the guns had been moved back.
Airships Like q Fleet AT Sea.
In the flight there were not only
bombing planes but swift combat planes
and others with a special mission. like
feet at sea, with the destroyers
patrolling the heavier lighting craft
Anti-aircraft German guns sent thou
sands Of shells into the formation. but
without effect. From the ground groups
OF German planes rose TO contest the
invasion.
without breaking their own formation
and without letting the enemy Interfere
with their main object. allied myers
sent twelve OF the enemy crashing down
ward. One French plane was hit ard
burst into flames and began settling.
Fire streamed from Its stern as II eased
down in n long wabbly spiral.
This plane fell in No Mans Land. and
a few minutes later II was reported as
lost The verdict was too soon. how
ever. Although struck when $500 meters
high, the pilot so managed the stream
OF fire always that he made a safe de-
scent, with the flames In his wake.
Renew ArG0nne Attack.
Gen. Pershing's infantry to-day again
went into action on the left wing OF the
Argonne forest front after violent ar
tillery bombardment lasting all night
The Germans are throwing in reserves
on their left flank. which has now been
exposed, in tho Argonne pocket. The
enemy also is endeavoring to withdraw
his troops at other points, so as to re-
store the line.
The American artillery on the right
wing was active all night. The bonn
bardment met with little reaction on the
part OF the Germans.
In the centre the Americans are hold
ing all tho advanced positions which they
gained yesterday and are meeting with
little enemy activity except for bar
rage.
Early this morning the Germans laid
down a harassing fire IN the areas to
the rear of the American positions, Dur
ing the night patrols operated prepara-
tory to further infantry action to-day
, and this morning the entire front con-
tinued to be fairly active.
American forces operating west Of the
Meuse River returned to tho attack
against the formidable Kremhilde line
yesterday. This assault was made Just
south of Romagne, and a brilliant,
speedy advance forced the Germans back
through tho positions prepared so long
by them.
Further to the right the Americans
forced their way through Cunel Wood.
which was bristling with machine guns
This success made II easier to storm. the
Mamelle trench of the Kriemhilde Stel-
lung line by sweeping away the flank
ing fire which had previously rendered
its capture so dificult.