Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-11-04

NORTHWEST OF vERDUN. Sunday.
November 3 (by the Associated
Press). troops at o'clock
this evening had advanced their left
flank north of Authe, In close cooper
alton with the French forces which
have been lighting their way east
ward on the bend in the Aisne river.
Farther east, American forces were in
Autruche and their patrols were re-
ported as far north as Brieulles-sur-
Bar.
In the center of the line the village
Of Fosse was passed early in the
day and then in quick succession
Barricourt, Nouart, LIE Champy Haute
and LIE Champy Bas were occupied by
the Americans. The advance of Gen.
Pershing's troops has reached the lit
tie lake in the center of Belval wood.
On the extreme right the Americans
were north of Montigny Devent-
Sassy. From there the line ran to the
Meuse river.
much as Of pursuit. The Germans are
not retreating in great disorder and
their withdrawal cannot be called a
rout, but 1t is certain that the gen.
eral stan and the field officers have
lost control to a certain extent
during last night. The left wing
continued its advance with little in
terruption. even after darkness had
fallen. The Americans reached
Boult-aux-Bois at o'clock 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 had
escaped by the time the Americans
had made their way through the
town in the gloom.
There was some opposition. espe-
cially artillery fire and rearguard
but it was quickly swept away. After
cleaning up Tally last night, the
Americans took hill 26s, and a little
later occupied Les Fontenelles farm.
The village Of LIE Champy Haute was
taken early this morning, marking an
s ffCn ., Es rss
did not stop there. but pressed on.
One division. which on Saturday cap
tured 70 officers and z.170 men. 50 ma
chine guns and IL guns Of IT caliber.
was reported today to have largely
increased its booty.
The troops on the right, like those
on the left and center, also continued
to move forward. although less rapid
ly than the others. The heights of
Montigny, four miles north Of Clery-
1e-Petit. were reached at noon. When
the Americans occupied the heights it
was seen that the Germans had evac-
uated the region Immediately to the
north.
From the left flank to the right
there are evidences that the German
officers are trying to hold their men
to their task, but reports from differ
"a
have arisen which the Germans have
found impossible to overcome.
East OF the Mouse. from north of
Remoiville, where the roads are
choked with retreating Germans. to
north of Stenay. on the east bank of
are filled with troop trains leaving
for the rear, the Germans are falling
back. (From Removable to Stenay
is about eight and one-half miles).
The artillery fire from the hills be-
hind the German lines seems to in
mand to yield to the evident desire
Of the men in the line to withdraw.
Equal activity is displayed behind
the American lines, but it is of OPP
posite character. Far to the rear the
moving conveys. but with truck trains
filled with troops being rushed
forward to support those who in some
cases, in trucks. are keeping up the
fast pace set by the retiring Ger
mans. 4
|; Yankee Losses Light.
The American losses 30 far have been
astonishing light compared with the
size Of the operation. There has been
lighting by the enemy, but of a half
hearted sort, except in a few cases
where. for brief intervals. :. strong
stands were made by little garrisons
left behind.
One Of these WAS at Barricdf,rt.
which was occupied Just after 4
eSlec Of the ' village havtne been TAKEN
Saturday night. The distance between
the Americans and the Germans was
less than 800 yards. Ordered to
advance. the Americans pl"nged
down the streets with fixed bayonets,
shooting ~ they went. The Germans
stood their ground only for q few
moments. It was bloody interval.
Scores Of small fights occurred in
the woods and ravines between enemy
machine gun crews and the advanc-
ing Americans. Throughout the day
the American artillery heavily bonn
barded the German lines along the
entire front
The American Intelligence officers
have learned that the confusion In
the enemy army is increasing almost
the various units has been badly
broken. AZ confirming this. one Of
the prisoners taken by the Amerf-
cans proved to be q runner who had
been sent forward from one Of the
headquarters twenty miles behind