The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-20
AMERICANS MEET
HEAVIER GUN FIRE
Germans Increase Resistance
Northwest Of Verdun,
Using Artillery.
GAIN NEAR GRAND PRE-
All U. s. Planes Engaged in
Great Bombing Raid
Return Safely

Nv the Associascd Press.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY NORTH
WEST OF vERpuN, Oct 1.-THE enemy
augmented his already strenuous re-
distance against the American advance
by Seavy artillery action to-day. This
was responded to in kind. SO that a duel
Of big guns was in progress all along
the line.
The German guns were active during
the night, especially east of the Meuse.
where roads In the rear Of the front
lines were shelled Internationally. One
huge gun fred several times at Fort
pouaumont was found to be mounted on
q railroad car.
There was hard fighting throughout
the day in the Grand Pre- region, where
the Americans forced their way through
TO the southern edge Of Bellejoyeuse
farm, the southeastern outposts Of Bour-
Cogne Wood and It's outlying defensive
position. That portion Of the Grand Pre-
woodland still containing Germans was
cleaned up by nightfall.
Germans Shell Back Areas.
During the last few days the Germans
also have been Smelling me back areas.
reaching verdun. Montfaucon and other
points to-day. They ,drenched the re-
zion of verdun with gas Friday, and
throughout the night until nearly day
light internationally shelled the town.
The Smelling continued at intervals
throughout to-day.
Fighting ragged all day In Lcges
Wood. the northern part Of which the
Germans had succeeded IN penetrating
again because OF the withdrawal Of the
American troops last night on account
Of the gas In the wood. Despite his op-
position. the enemy was driven back
everywhere and could only retaliate with
a harassing artillery IRE on the Ameri-
can lines and systems Of communica ton.
Beyond the Grand Pre- and Loges fight
ing. activity was chiefly confined to in
cessant patrolling on all parts Of the
line.
On the centre especially the patrols
were active until dark. Increasing evil
dences were found that the enemy in
tends to withdraw to the new Freya-
Steelung position. a few kilometers
northward, since the Kriemhilds line IL
menaced by American occupation OF
Bantheville Wood. The German resist
ance, however. continues sitter in this
sector than at any other point on the
western front, owing to its being the
key to an arch which must be held II
the whole Is not to fall.
On our right there was quiet during
the night but the enemy began to-
day an intermittent sheliing of the
roads from Nantillois to CuneL This at
ternoon on various sectors the bonn
bardment was increased to violent
Smelling. The enemy shells apparently
came from positions behind the new
Steelung line. indicating that the re-
moval of guns to the support of this
line has been completed.
The Americans to-day continued to
improve their positions In the region
Of Bantheville and the wood of Banthe-
Vile. There are some Indications that
the Germans are planning a withdrawal
to what are believed to be new lines OF
defences a few miles in the rear.
This possible retirement of the Ger
mans Is believed to be due to the
The edge OF the Kriemhilde line below
Landres-et-St. Georges. where Pershing' 8
men are steadily advancing.
The Germans early this morning
launched counter attack upon the
American positions in La Grande Mon
taGne. The attack was repulsed.
The Germany infantry attack was pre-
coded by heavy artillery fire. The
Germans this morning continued their
harassing fire east Of the river Meuse.
All the aviators who took part In the
all American bombing expedition be-
hind the German lines northwest OF
Verdun Friday have been accounted for.
One of the $40 airplanes taking part in
the raid had been reported missing. but
It returned during the night
Latest reports from the different
sQuadrons show that the scout planes
in protecting the bombers brought down
twelve enemy machines.
Filters Attack Troops.
Observers report that excellent re-
suits were obtained at the various points
covered by the expedition. While the
and villages two squadrons OF pursuit
airplanes. flying at low attitudes. at
tackled enemy troops along the roadways
with small guns and machine gun fire.
During the raid the pursuit airplanes
engaged in thirty-nve combats and or
the dozen German machines brought
down two fell behind the American lines.
one German machine was set on nre.
Another enemy airplane was smashed to
the ground, the pilot and machine gun
ner saving themselves by parachutes.
They were captured by American In
fantry
This morning American patrol air
planes engaged in fourteen combats.
The aviators reported that six German
machines had been brought down within
the German lines.
The accomplishments OF the all Ameri-
can expedition were much talked about
all along the American front to-day.
various observers reporting what they
saw on Friday afternoon.
Counted 40 Planes rs Safe.
One observer on a hill within the
American lines south of Bayonville, I'M
aware of the fact that American bomb
ers were at work. reported to his head
quarters that II appeared to him that
bayonville and various other towns had
been destroyed by terrific explosions OF
unknown origin.
Another observer saw great clouds of
smoke arise in such volume that he
thought the Germans, were putting over a
smoke barrage. and telephoned his head
quarters 10 this effect. Headquarters in
formed the observer that the explosions
probably were due to American bomb
ers' and asked him to count the AIneri-
cans returning homeward bound.
Afterward the observer said he had
sessss sssss sesss zee ssss