Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-02
By the Associated Press.

| By the Associated Press.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
| FRANCE, September Again the
German defenses north Of scissors
have been cracked by, the Americans,
who tonight have made secure their
new positions near Terny-Sorny and
on line along the Bethune-Soissons
road.
The Americans are still at the apex
Of the allied forces in that part Of the
fcer. the French general, Mangin, today
supplemented his messages Of congrat-
ulation, expressing to the American
commander admiration for his units
work and frankly admitting slight sur
prise that troops comparatively new
should have conducted themselves with
such dash and brilliancy.
The American troops in their drive
beyond Juvigny last night and today
advanced about two miles and cap
tured nearly 500 prisoners. together
with considerahl eo war supplies I,l ESQ,
4 o'clock Saturday and the Americans
had gained their objective by 9 o'clock
at night. Ragged points in the new
line were smoothed out today.
In addition to the 500 prisoners two
pieces of artillery were captured and
a great number of machine guns and
trench mortarS. Trenches, she'll holes
and the open field were strewn with
German dead.
Field Day for Allies.
The drive forward from the posi-
tions north and south of Juvigny
proved a field day for the Americans
and their allies. the French. The ar
tillery literally blasted way through
the enemy ranks, tearing down de-
sa p ana snsnE complete an
uninterrupted connection by radio
with battery commanders throughout
the engagement. The infantry, when
called upon for it's part in the ORA
matte venture. responded like veter-
an troops, after long period Of rest,
and with enthusiastic shouts began
the pursuit of the Germans who were
not caught in the terrific barrage.
With the infantry went the ta ms
when they first advanced against
Juvigny. Two companies. thirty
tanks, had been detailed for the work.
They were light, two-man French
ground of ten or fifteen miles an hour,
and almost as easily handled as an
automobile. Their work was per-
formed admirably, and full advantage
was taken by the advancing lioopo'
Americans Plunge Forward.
When the order for the advance was
given the Americans leaped out OF
their positions. plunging forward to-
ward the points that had been indi-
Gated. From out of concealed posi-
lions moved the tanks along pains
leading to machine gun nests North
of Juvigny there was a hill on when
hoa
strong machine gun force, but there
was little to do there when the in
faptry arrived; the positions had
actually been obliterated in some
cases.
There was no organized resistance
on big scale; it was case Of mop
ping up rather an extended district.
The Germans who were still ie1t IN
the area were detached forces, many
of them in caves. some in sections OF
the ancient network of trenches and
some behind fallen masonry Of the
ruined farmhouses and villages But
many of these fought, perhaps, be-
cause they failed to understand they
were SO completely detached.
New Divisions Face Americans.
Torny-sorny was reached by the
Americans without a struggle, but
practically everv other position be-
tween the American line of departure
and the objective was yielded only
because the Germans were unable to
,etain 1t.
From prisoners it was learned that
within the past few days there had
been placed in the sector in front OF
the Americans two new German di-
visions-the 23sth and the 227th-the
first of which marched from Rheims
and the other from Metz. Both were
excellent organizations. but. like other
divisions encountered in the past few
weeks, were afflicted with that mys-
terious something which caused them
TO crack when pounded by the rejuven-
ated allies.
A new variety of barrage was used
by the Americans. Prisoners who
were brought in. many of whom had
been under barrages of every army
opposed to the central powers, charac-
terized it as crazy fire."
Others solemnly declared that they
had been subjected to a counter bar
rage by their own army. That, in fact,
did occur in at least one instance, due,
doubtless, to the confusion In the