The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-10-02
HEAVY GOING"
FOR AMERICANS
But THEY RESUME
THEIR ADVANCE.
Yanks Push Forward on
the Line Between the
Meuse and ATgonne
ENEMY THROWING
IN HIS RESERVES
Hurried Reorganization of
German Forces Indi-
Gated by Order


With the American Army in France,
Oct. lit was reported late tonight
that the Americans on the front be-
tween the Meuse and the Argonne had
again moved forward over one Of the
most hotly contested sectors of their
advance, the ground north and west
OF Montfaucon.
The situation on the American
front along the Brieulle- Binarville
line (running from the Meuse through
the Argonne)l remained virtually un-
changed from yesterday 1t Is still
evident that the Germans estimate
fully the nature of the American ef-
fort and are hurrying up all available
reserves. This is true not only Of the
enemy artillery and infantry but also
OF the air forces. During the day
German airplanes began appearing
over the American lines, the assump-
ton being that these machines had
been Withdrawn from other fronts in
an effort to minimize the American
supremacy of the last few days.
Weather Unfavorahle.
The weather conditions are far
from favorable for the airmen, so
that little could be accomplished. II
anything the American aviators with
characteristic enterprise, more than
held the upper hand.
During the day the chief activity
of the Americans was in holding and
consolidating their positions in the
face Of heavy counter attacks espec-
tally on the debatable ground north
and west Of Montfaucon. In the
heavily wooded ground of the Ar
gonne west of the forest itself, the
fighting became reduced to mere
bushwhacking tactics. This is a form
OF warfare In which the Americans
with their Individual initiative, are
second to none. Thus although nu-
nerous small bodies OF German in
fantry altered through the lines tow
ard the American rear, the Americans
were easily able to take care Of them.
To what extent the Germans have
been compelled by the turn OF the
events to change their plans, is shown
by battalion order just captured.
1t says tersely:
The troops are reminded that our
present position is our winter posi-
fIon.
The regiment at the time this die
tuTn was issued was in the line below
Campral. There seems, to have been
a general Juggling Of the German
forces. -r-~-s-''ss
Numerous Observers have reported
a general movement, especially across
the Meuse westward from Brieulles.
Its direction Is along the river toward
the north and then toward the apex
of the American line.
Counter Attacks Fail. j
With the American Army North
west of Verdun, Tuesday, Oct. IT,
German efforts to penetrate or bend
the line between the Meuse and the
-Aisne dwindled rapidly today. One
minor counter attack, some outpost
scrimmaging and half hearted bonn
bardment, characterized the enemy's
activity. ~
The Americans repulsed a counter
attack north of Apremont and then
accepted the situation. Both the
front line and the back areas held by.
the Germans were gshelled vigorously
from early morning until night In
the afternoon the clouds disappeared
and aviators were able to resume
their observation patrols and pursue
enemy planes and balloons. -
With the clearing weather the en-
gineers have converted the areas back
of the. American front into an orderly
place once more. Roads that had
been untouched for years and made
worse by the movement OF truck
trains and artillery were, once more
made passable.
On the left flank of the Americans
the French pressed their lines slight
ly forward, bringing near the time
when the Germans must fight with
- u H.41aa Tr1f a
line west of the MeI1se.
American detachments in the Ar
gonne forest continue to clean up
that wilderness, sending back scores
Of machine guns, trench mortars and
other captured material. On the
salvage list there appears today three
observation balloons. They had been
left In their shed at the eastern edge
OF Exermont wood.
In addition to their work OF recon
structing bridges and roads the en-
gineers have had the task of remoV-
ing numerous mines. AS happened
north Of the Marine. many positions
abandoned by the Germans had been
elaborately equipped with mines, but
as also was the case north OF the
Marine, almost every mine was sprung
by the engineers who traced the wires
=
formidable outlay of mines in the
town OF Vauquois which had been
used as a German headquarters.
Below the level of the town there
were hundreds OF yards OF subterran-
can passages which had been turned
into comfortable, even luxurious
quarters.
Information reaching American
head dquarters to indicate confusioD
behind the German lines not in the
way OF traffic conditions, but in or
ganization. Its lis known the enemy
is using units as small as platoons
TO reinforce those IN the hghting line.
The enemy tonight appears with
drawing on the American lett. Broad
III speaking, he is going in the diree-
ton OF the jlncture OF the Brunhtla
and Krismhild systems.
In the Argonne forest Americans
made progress today. East Of the
forest they are operating north Of
Cierges and hold positions on the
road. Gesnes to Exerrnont.
IN this district there has been stlm
lighting, local positions repeatedly
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