The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-11-04
AMERICANS GAIN
Il NILES In new
ADVANCE SMASH
GERMAN FRONT
Seem to Have Taken All
the Fight Out Of the
Huns
B0CHE RETREAT
ALMOST A RoUT
Pershing's Men Have To
Use Tricks to Catch
Enemy.
/. (Rv Associated Press.l

with the American Army North
west OF Verdun. Nov. 4.-American
troops at p. m, had advanced
their left flank north Of Authe, in
close cooperation with the French
forces which have been fighting their
way eastward on the bend in the
Aisne river. Further east American
forces were in Autruche and their
patrols were reported as far north
as Brieulles- Sur Bar.
In the center Of the line the viii
lage Of Fosse was possessed early in
the day and then in quick succession
Bas were occupied by the Americans.
The advance of General Pershtng's IS
troops has reached the little lake In
the center OF Belval wood.
On the extreme right the Ameri-
cans were north of Montigny de
Want Sassy. From there the liAe ran
to the Meuse river.
Almost q Rout
It has not been day of fighting as
much as of pursuit. The Germans
are not retreating in great disorder
and their withdrawal cannot be call
ed 81 rout, but it Is certain that the
general staff and the field officers
have lost control to a certain extent
"A III Barta 0f tho line FueI a2ttHe
during last night. The left wing
continued it's advance with little in
terruption. even after darkness had
fallen. The Americans reached
Boult Aux Bois at this morning.
Their patrols were at the heels OF
the retreating enemy who were
heard leaving the northern end OF
the town by wagon and who escaped
hn Y11nTsira had
made their way through the town in
the gloom.
There, was some opposition artillery
firing and rear guard fighting at
Barricourt and Nouart. but it was
quickly swept away. After cleaning
up Tally last night the Americans
took hill 268 and a little later occu-
pied Les Fontenelles farm.
Cannot Stop the Drive
From the left flank to the right
there are evidences that the general
officers are trying to hold their men
to their task but reports from differ
ent sources agree that difficulties
have arisen which the Germans have
found impossible to overcome.
East of the Meuse from north OF
where the roads are
choked, with the retreating Germans,
to north of Stenay, on the east bank
Of the river, where the railway yards
are filed with troop trains leaving
from the rear. the Germans are fall
ing back. (FTrom Remoiville to Ste
nay is about 81 miles.) The artil-
Iery fire from the hills behind the
Eerman lines seems to indicate the
reluctance of those in command to
yield to the evident desire of the men
N the line to withdraw.
Chase Germans in Trucks
Equal activity is displayed behind
he American lines. but it is Of op-
oosite character. Far to the roads
Ire filled not only with slowly NOV
ng conveys but with truck trains
illed with troops being rushed for |
ward to. support those, who, in some |
,ases, in trucks, are keeping UP the
ast pace set by the retiring Ger
mans.
American Losses Small
The American losses so far have
leen astonishingly light, compared |
With the size OF the operation. There
las been fighting by the enemy but
# d half-h hearted sort. except in u
ew cases where for brief intervals |
trong stands were made by little
;arrisons left behind.
Gave Them the Bayonet
One of these was at Harricourt
which was occupied this morning,
he southern edge of the village
lad been taken Saturday night. The
distance between the Americans and
he Germans was less than 300
ards. Ordered to advance the
americans plunged down the street
With fixed bayonts, shooting as they
vent. The Germans stood their
round only for moment. 1t was q
,Ioody interval. Only few of the
Germans escaped.
Many Small Fights
Scores of small fights occurred in
he woods and ravines between ene-
ny machine gus crews and the ad- 7
ancing Americans. Throughout the |
ay the American artillery heavily
ombarded the German lines along +
he entire front.
The village Of lie Champy Haute
Tas taken early this morning, mark
lg an advance of five miles north
ards from Bayonyille. +
Plenty OF Prisoners and Booty
The Americans did not stop there
ut pressed on. One division which /.
n Saturday captured 10 officers and
ITO men, so machine guns and 12l
uns of III caliber. was reported to-
ay to have largely increased itsl
ooty.
The troops on the right, like those
n the left and center. also continued
Continued IN Page Q