The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-28
TAKE 4
TOWNS IN ARGONNE



Continued from First Paoe.
at the st. Mihiel affair, and at places he
mas fought sternly. This was especially
noticeable yesterday. when all the strong
piaces were turned instead OF being
taken by frontal attack.
The Associated Press CORRESPONDENT
with the American forces says that
along the entire American front the
Germans made a stand to-day, but In
spite or their determined efforts to hold
their positions yielded one after an
other to steady hammering. The sweep
ing advance OF the first day was slowed
down, but tonight the line had been
moved forward far enough to- satisfy
headquarters and win the praise Of the
French, whose liaison officers are closely
observing the operations.
The country about Montfaucon and
the Argonne Forest was the scene of
desperate contests. The Germans left
images OF machine guns, and It was
against such formations that the Amer
leans were forced to advance.
Too Rapid for ARTILLERY.
Notwithstanding the resistance. which
grew in stubbornness as tho day ad-
vanced, and despite the almost insuper-
able obstacles In transcort over the she'll
torn roads. the Americans advanced all
along the twenty mile front and cap
tured score OF villages long held by
the Germans.
The advance was 30 fast at points
that the infantry had to operate for
periods virtually without artillery, be-
their operations lest they hit their own
troops.
All ntsht long artillery, supplies and
men moved steadily forward, to be rea dy
for the new infantry attacks this morn
ing. Airplanes circled overhead in the
moonlight. shooting tracer bullets at au-
tomobiles that stole across the roads in
the darkness. Troops steadily marched
with almost the feverish activity OF day
time.
The activity in the air was the most
interesting part OF the day. from the
standpoint Of tho spectators unable to
see the actual advance of tho troops.
The German fiiers were more daring
than usual. fying over tho American
lines and making persistent attacks on
the American balloons. Twice In one
sector balloon observers were compelled
to jump for their lives and float toward
earth In parachutes. The sky was dotted
with black and white puffs of exploding
shrapnel as ground batteries fired
riciously at invading aviators.
The almost continuous roar of the ar
tillery was punctuated by the staccato
barks of the machine guns, as the anti
aircraft guns OF the Americans and
French aviators drove off the enemy.
Many Desperate Contests.
In the Argonne Forest the fighting
often developed into an almost hand
to hand character as the men reverted
to primitive principles of warfare and
crowded forward through the dense
growth. 1t was fighting without ar
tillery. for the conbatants were too
close together to permit the use Of guns
and they were left to fight It out. They
still are in the forest, but reports in
dictated steady progress.
Apparently theirs was a fight alone,
but along the TANKS, even to the north
units Of Americans had advanced stead
lily. making certain the eventual with
drawal OF the comparatively small part
OF the enemy's force stationed In the
woods to delay the general advance.
Tanks again cooperated In the opera
tons, while airplanes contributed mate
clouds which followed the rain of the early
morning had disappeared. Muddy roads
hindered for some time the bringing up
of artillery, but by noon the guns were
in position. They soon reversed what
had appeared UP to that time to be a
slight advantage for the Germans.
In Secondary Defences.
1t was evident. however, that the
enemy had recovered sufficiently, after
the first staggering attack yesterday to
esta blish his line along the secondary
offences These positions are good and
II is expected that from them the Ger
mans will offer stubborn resistance in
an cndeaVor 10 hi feast check the Of
fensive.
hopping up the country on the
American left involved stiff fighting In
the region OF Charpentry, which con-
tinued until late in the day. The Ger
mars left strong detachments OF ma
chine gunncfs thanking the town, and it
was considered wise to supplement the
infantry's work with that OF artillery.
which was placed in position at mid
day.
The big jump yesterday. combined
with rain soaked roads and the Ger
mans destruction OF their lines OF COM
munication. interfered with the move
ment OF artillery. Upon the arrival of
the artillery in positions near the town
the situation SLOWLY changed, resulting
in the withdrawal OF such OF the Ger
mans as were able to escape.
Hard Fighting Near MontblainviIle
In the same part of the field bitter
fighting illuminated in victory for the
Americans along the road between
and EglIse Fontaine.
Strong positions about Montblainville
were reduced, but the Germans, awaiting
themselves of excavatings across the
road left there as a sacrifice a heavy
force armed with machine guns. The
opposing lines In some cases were not
a hundred yards apart. The enemy's ef-
fort to hold the position cost them
dearly.
The Argonne Forest witnessed further
German sacrifices. They left a heavy
force of infantry behind. with the usual
of machine guns. Almost
every thicket masked guns, while from
scores Of trees streams OF fire confronted
the advancing Americans.
Prisoners brought from the American
left gave information indicating that the
Germans are reinforcing their line.
Among them were troops from two
Guard divisions. one more than hitherto
The Germans delivered counter attacks
northwest OF Varennes and between
IVORY and Montfaucon rate to-day, but
achieved no gain.
There was heavy artillery firing west