The sun., 1918-09-16
showing we'll equipped de-

photographs showing we'll equipped de-
fences.
The big iron mines near Brley, an
important industrial nerve centre of
the German military machine. ere
jeopardixed, and even Metz. one OF the
most strongly fortified points behind the
enemy lines. In menaced. II is not ex-
pected that any immediate struggle for
its possession will take place, but the
success which attended the first big
American operations undoubtedly has
brought the Germans face to face with
more serious conditions on this part OF
the front than for the past four years.
Many plies OF Dead Found.
The clearing up of the woods and ra =
vines was the most important part OF the
york carried out by the American troops
Saturday. where the harrage had caught
the enemy away from the shelter OF
dugouts and trenches piles OF dead were
encountered by the scou: patrols, and
in many places additional supplies of
ordnance and ammunition were dis
covered. In at least one case a battery
Of German us was used by the Ameri-
cans against the enemy. although in
most cases the guns were sufficiently
damaged to make them unfit for use at
The present time.
Great numbers OF machine guns. wit
plenty of ammunition nearby. were
found. and they were promptly turned
on the enemy. pouring in thousands OF
bullets on groups who still held out.
The most stubborn action to-day was
fight about dawn for the possession
of a big gun. posted in an exceiient posi-
ton In an old quarry. 1t was so placed
that the allied artillery fire could not
reach II. Infantry tried to force the
position. but met with a temporary re-
pulse. Shortly afterward the Americans
came back and captured the gun. even
capturing prisoners from a countering
force.
Three counter attacks were carried
out in the same neighborhood and each
was smashed before any great damage
was done.
Belgian Captives Freed.
Among the captives to-day were
several Belgians. whom the Germans
had been working much the same as
slaves. They had contrived to lose them
selves from their guards during the re-
treat and were waiting for the coming
IN of the Americans
1t is now definitely esta bill shed that
the Germans did not expect the Ameri-
can attack before September Is. Even
then II was not believed that there would
he an attack from the west flank, ex-
cept perhaps slight one in the way OF
a diversion.
When Nigneulles Woods were squeezed
many prisoners were added to the already
long list. Large numbers OF Germans
had been concentrated there, and wher
the pincers closed Friday the line was
thin for some hours. and through the
holes a large part OF the enemy man.
aged 20 escape. Those who remained
behind offered almost no resistance whe7
the French line moved up from the
south and on the tanks Saturday. One
or two bursts of machine gun fire, then
the cry of "Kamerad." as they scram.
bled out of their shelters with upra ised
hands.
The prisoners in most cases appeared
well content AT capture. and were deeply
impressed with the rations served &c
them. especially the American wh!:t
bread.
Among the prisoners were several
hundred from two Austrian divisions
who were cut off when the American.
advanced to the attack from behind az
ter the Germans had broken. They
were bitter against the Germans. who
they said had given way before the
Americans. allowing them TO be sur.
rounded. and they had no chance &c
fight.