South Bend news-times., 1918-09-14
70 VILLAGES
ARE CAPTURED
IN YANK DRIVE
Whole Division is Bagged in
st. MihieI Salient and 210
Square Miles of Terri
tory Are Occupied.
BY HENRN Q. MALEs.
International News Service:
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WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
on THE LORRAINE FRONT (mid
night). Sept 13.-Seventy villages
and 800 square kilometres t210
square miles) of territory have been
captured by the Americans in their
big drive which started on Thurs
day between the AIeuse and MOselle
rivers.
Thus far SOC German prisoners
have been counted, including an
entire division that was bagged in
the St. Mihiel salient. The French
at one point captured 1900 prison
ers, suffering but a single slight
casualty in the operation.
The main allied force is now hold
ing the line Of Herbeuville, ThillOt.
Hattonville, Xammes. Julny, Thiau-
court and Melville, it is believed.
Capture Store OF Materials.
Not only has the St. Mihiel salient
been wiped out by the Americans
but the Americans and French have
captured a vast store Of materials,
including an immense number OF
machine guns.
The allies did not attempt a from
tai attack against the salient, but
struck at the fanks, delivering their
main pressure in an outhanking
movement.
A savage blow was struck against
the German positions lying between
the Moselle river and Mont Sec, es-
pecially against the high ground iu
the Mont Sec district, which dom
mates the German front IN that
region.
On Battle Field Of 1915.
South OF Fresnes. where the ter
ritory IS extremely difficult. the
French and Americans were ON the
bloody battle field Of 1915. Despite
the obstacles /the American and
French forces went forward through
the ravines with great speed. While
the Americans were plunging 10 the
crest Of the forest Of Lagentagou,
which is on high ground. the French
holding the rim Of the salient We're
pushing forward all along their own
line.
The successful movement OF the
Franco-American forces made it
necessary for Gen. Won Gallwitz. the
German commander in that zone. 20
pull out Gen. Won Fuchs army with
all possible haste to prevent IL from
being killed or captured.
Ii was found. as the prisoners
began to stream i'm. that the four
hour bonn bardment preceding the
attack had completely shattered the
nerves Of the German soldiers
But the shells had done other
damage as well. Wide reaches OF
German entanglements and trenches
were found 10 be wiped out
The caunouade was OF a convers-
ing nature. the French and Ameri-
can guns sending i'm their fire from
two sides
Storm Dominating High Ground.
one OF the first moves made by
the allied infantry was the storm
ing OF Hill 40. 800 This sealed the
fate Of St AIihiel as the high ground
i'm that region completely dominates
the town.
The Americans made remarkable
progress QLI4I8 the Illel phase
the attack going forward about a
mile an hour. so swiftly did the in
fantrymen move that the tanks were
soon able 20 cross the second line
Of German defenCes.
The Germans were completely
overwhelmed. Whole companies OF
the Elite 10th division which was
the first 10 get across the Marine in
1919. when the Germans were maxi
ing their drive on Paris. ran up TO
the Americans with outStretched
arms yelling sI(smerad.
Tanks Aid in Victory.
Tanks. that went forward with
the infantry aided materially I'm the
victory These great lighting ma
chimes were responsible for the cap
rure OF Beney. The Germans defend
ing the village swarmed out 20 sur
render when he tanks infltrated
the wood south OF Nigneulles
Following the capture OF Mont
Sec by the French it was found
that a German wireless operator on
the hill north OF the town was still
ia communication with Gen. Won
Gallwi;zs headquarters on the Ns-
dun HIS information related 10 the
attack. but his station was soon pJt
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