The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-27
AMERICANS HOLD
MEUSE RIVER GAIN
strengthen Newly Won Posi-
tions and Easily Repulse
Counter Attacks.
$4,000 CAPTIvES TO DATE
10000 Casualties Inflicted on
Foe and 40 Villages Freed
in Present Drive.
BIZ tie associated Prsss.

Writ THE AMERICAN ARMY NORTH
-,sr or yERpuN, Oct. 26.--The German
,morts 10 break up lately improved posi-
ian, OF the Americans were lessened
.ouewhat to-day. From the extreme
IN 10 right artillery was employed, but
r,thout materially altering the situation.
rr,sh explosive, shrapnel and gas shells
,ere thrown over the front lines and
t,r into the back areas, but no attempt
yas made to counter attack on a large
,c,Is and the few minor movements Of
ia enemy were brought TO a swift end
nv concentrated artillery and machine
Gun fire.
hs,tle they have inflicted more than
"a 900 casualties on the enemy. freed
,or-y villages and 4S7 square kilometers
Al French territory and have captured
"a 900 prisoners, besides the German
,ounded who fell into their hands.
The gains made Friday by the Ameri-
can troops east and west Of the Mouse
vsrs maintained to-day In spite Of vio-
liant enemy opposition and harassing
artillery fire against the American front
lines and the areas in the rear.
Machine Gun Fire Halted.
On the extreme left the Americans
have strengthened their hold on the high
ground IN the southern part OF the Bour-
GONE wood. The American position in
ths wood Is such that the Germans no
lopper are able to harass the Americans
rsth machine gun fire from the ridge at
che edge Of the wood.
:, the centre of the limo west Of the
N.use the German artillery is lombard
ins the American lines heavily with high
sxplosive and gas shells. On the right
the enemy made an unsuccessful counter
attack during the night. From q to 6
o'clock this morning they shelled the
American lines there heavily, the bonn
bsrdment at times reaching the intensity
Of a barrage, but there was no further
infantry action.
One new division and one new resi-
nent have BEEN identified as having been
added to the German strength against
m. Americans The division is a second
s,ass one which is reputed to have trav-
.r.S more than any other in the Ger
man army. It has been successfully on
the eastern front the italian front or
the somme and before St Mibiel. The
regiment belongs to the crack Twenty
eighth German Division.
Fighting Desperately.
Violent enemy reactions continue cas-
OF the MeuSe ana there mas been uesper
ate lighting all along the line. Thu
American position now runs through thu
clearing between the Belleu Wood an'
the Etraye Wood. The enemy's deter
m.nation to hold the high ground cas-
Of the river is shown by the fact that h
has thrown in one of his last remainin;
reserve divisions TO check the American
advance in the Belleu Wood, where tn
enemy is counter attacking persistently
The following document has ben cap
iured:
The enenys crossing of the Meuso
IL to be prevented absolutely. Should
he succeed in crossing he Is to be
thrown back into the Meuse at once.
The enemy must not get q foothold on
this side Of the Mouse under any cir
crmstances.
The last three words are capitalized.
Not only in a defensive way, but b,
counter attacks the Germans are hghtirt
desperately to carry out this order. Thl
ss shown by the futile attacks made Fri
day In the region south Of Banthevill
Wood, north of Rappes Wood and in tn
valley north OF Bantheville.