The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-02
TWO ARMIES FIGHT
TO CLEAR ARG0NNE
Gouraud Crosses Aisne as Lig-
= a gett Starts o Battle to
the Northward.
nv ne Associated Press.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE FRENCH FOURTH
ARMY, Nov. 1.-den. Gouraud's army
attacked this morning on a front Of Ave
to six miles between the Aisne end the
Argonne in conjunction with the First
American army on his right. The i'm
mediate objective OF the French COM
mander in this region is TO clear the
much broken massif OF the Argounc.
the LAST natural fortress which remains
to him until he reaches the Ardennes.
Ever since September 81 the Ger
mans have chung TO the Argonne In
spite OF the unremltting endeavors of
the French army on the west and the
Americans on the east OF the forest.
After series of extremely difficult
and holly contested operations. Gen.
Gouraud has succeeded in esta olishing
himself on the right bank Of the Aisne
between the Villages OF Terror and
Falaise, distance OF about FIVE miles.
With the river at their backs and
little more than a mile from the Ger
man trenches between them and the
forest, the operation was one OF con-
siderable difficulty. The night was spent
In throwing bridges across the Aisne
important force with it's material. The
enemy knew that the attack was COM
Ing, but seems to have been unaware
that II would extend as far north as 1t
did, and he left the bridge makers al
most undisturbed.
The attack was launched shortly be-
fore 6 O'Clock after a whirlwind artillery
preparation Of thirty minutes. The Ger
mans had not acted wisely in leaving
hNst1 nj n.
Aisne was crossed opposite the village OF
Voncq, and this important position was
occupied soon after Q o'clock. The loop
OF the Aisne opposite Semuy. which was
held by the enemy and formed a salient
In the allied line protected by the wind
| ing course Of the river, was carried
| R!lly-aux-Bols then was captured and
the French troops pressed, up tho river
bank opposite Semuy
| BY the middle Of the morning Gen
Gouraud's men had largely occupied
their first line Of detectives In spite Of
an energetic and increasing resistance or
the part OF the enemy. Semuy was en-
dangered. Voncq. which Is situated or
a lofty spur overlooking the river ant
was the most important position on ths
| front Of attack, was carried, with a con
siderable bag of prisoners. Possession
OF Voncq had enabled the Germans 4
l "HOlc hlSnt 40
south as Vouziers and gave them wild,
views up and down the river. -....
| Further south Hill 1873, on the RICH
bank. has been captured. Falaise hal
been occupied, and the line IL making
| satisfactory progress eastward in tn,
teeth Of a st!ffening artillery Are.
The enemy's omission to provide TO
an attack north OF Terror. which marked
the limit OF Gouraud's holdings on tn
right bank OF the Aisne. seems to hav,
assured the success of the first day o
the new operation. o..
The attack on Gen. Gouraud's arm,
must be taken in conjunction with tn
American attack on much larger scale
which Is progressing In the most encour
aging fashion on the other side OF tn
Argonne. Last night, as has previousl,
been stated, Gouraud held n narrow strf
about Ave miles long on the right banl
of the Aisne marked by the villages o
Terror. Eardy and Falaise. South O
Falaise his line passed by OliEy througl