The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1918-11-02
Many Towns Are Taken
And Prisoners Cap
tured by Victors
BOTH SIDES USE
GAS PRODIGALLY
Some Of Hardest Fighting
of War In This
Battle
tBy Associated Press.>

With the American. Forces North
west Of Verdun, Friday, Nov. L.
Most of the prisoners captured by
Americans in the fighting today
were in excellent physical condition
ana displayed better morale than US
ual. They were fully cognizants of
the efforts of their government to
secure an armistice and were over
joyed at the probability Of an early
peace. All appeared to realize that
a break through by the Americans
would result almost certainly in the
loss Of part Of the German army on
the western front. ,,E.-- r
SheiIsd in ar-AH1srieans In Front
With a curtain OF exploding steal
behind them and d steadily adj
vancing ltne of Americans in front
several hundred Germans found
themselves in an untefable position
at Imecourt. A garrison had been
left to defend the position and had
performed its part well when the
Americans stormed the place. Ma
chine guns sent a =murderous fire
into the valley unttl on signal to the
American batteries there was laid
down a .barrage not on the town,
but. along the rear Of 1t. The Ger
mans say that the bursting shells
came creeping toward them from the
rear as the batteries shortened
their range and that at the same
time the American infantrymen ad-
vanced up the slope toward the vii
Iage. Either as result of the or
der. or a panic, the defending
troops Immediately rushed down
toward the Aemricans with uprais-
ed hands crying 'Kamerad."
Drenchsd With Gas
In the woods encountered by the
Bourgogne, machine guns were left
to a number probably not surpassed
by those in the Argonne woods to
the south. German forces are max
ing desperate efforts to hold their
lines and gas is being used in great
quantities. It was used in the little
Hazois wood near the center, to
some extent, but Bois de Loges and
Bois de Bourgogne were literally
drenched with suffocating fumes.
Go Around Bad Spots
Frontal attacks against these
strongholds are not q part Of the
American plan. The French are
moving up on the west side Of Bois
de Burgogne and the Americans ON
the right, and similar enveloping. OF
Bois de Loges has been undertaken
The center Of these woods have been
subjected to heavy gas lombard
merlts. The Germans were forced TO
move out early in the day to the
edges Of these patches Of timber
where they manned heavy and light
machine guns and in many cases
fought to the end.
Late this afternoon the air clear
ed and scouting airplRnes reported
enemy troops and Americans well
toward the northern edge of both
woods.
Captured Woman Soldier
Among the prisoners brought In
was one woman. She was dressed In
uniform, carried a gun and had en-
dured the discipline and privations
as the soldiers. Evidence received
indicates that this was merely an In
stance in which woman managed
TO get into the firing line to seek
adventure and that the German
government is not beginning TO use
women in the battle zone.
All According 70 Program
When the order for attack was
given the American troops moved
forward unhesitatingly along the
whole line. The fact that the great
est dQNdALS WAH AAAnsAS al. tAkC GG4ALEA
is due to the plans drawn up be-
fore hand rather than to the strength
of the resistance on either wing.
The advance was carried out in
keeping with the subject.
Many Towns Taken
In the center La Dnuy farm, about
two thirds OF a mile from the start
ing point, was taken by Z o'clock. It
was defended by infantry, machine
guns and some artillery. The Ha-
zois woods was cleared by 10 o'clock,
500 prisoners being taken there The
village of Itaudrevi1le, one mile
northwest Of the wood. was occupied
at 10:45. and eRfnonv1lle. about q
CONTINUED on page 80