The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-09-13
OFFENSIVE ON
WEST FRONT
Is AMERICAN
N. D. Baker, War Secretary and
Other NOtables Witness
Start of Drive
BRILLIANT FIRE DISPLAY
Explosions Terrific Over Entire
Line as Yanks Prepare for
Attack
BRILLIANT FIRE DISPLAY
eY ASSOCIATED PRESS.

With the. American Army in Lor-
raine, CThursday) Sept. 1.-THE al
lied front Is dominatingly American.
the French cooperating and in mill
tary sense it is regarded as q cOntinn-
ing phase of the battle which began
last summer. #l
Newton D. Baker, the American sec.
retary of war, with several other not
ables, witnessed the beginning Of the
battle from the vantage point of a
Fernch fort close behind the middle
of the line.
1t was precisely one o'clock Of a
rainy moonless night when single
dash of flames shot across the sky. 1t
was followed by other flashes which
emerged into sheet of white light
on the horizon. Gradually there be-
gan to roll from this flame-lit area
a mighty thunder from which could
be determined the crack and boom OF
returning German shells bursting.
Brilliant Color Scheme.
The field over which the attack was
made was so extended that the bril-
liant bands Of vivid light soon stretch
ed from far eastward to westward
lighting II pthe clouds. Soon there be-
gan to arise star shells, signal rock
cts, and flares thrown by the enemy,
to betray the Americans should they
leave their trenches suddenly to begin
and infantry attack. To this general
reddish glow as a.imunition dumps
exploded. -as.s r.
The artillery fire lessened little in
intensity and German star sbells burst
with more frequency as five Oclock
approached, as though the enemy sus-
pected that was the hour set for the
infantry attack. More and more am
munition dumps exploded jAst before
five. The artillery bombardment sud
denly resumed it's original Intensity
and as the sky was beginning to be
tinged with dawn. 1t began to take on
a white look along the horizon. Pre-
cisely at five clock the laundering
Of the guns stopped. and in the sud
den silence the Americans went over
tho top All along the line, could be
ehard the chattering OF German ma.
chine guns and suddenly the thunder
commenced again when barrage was
laid down to Protect the American SOL
iders as they approached the trenches.
In to the battle has been brought all
the" elements of modern warfare.
While the artillery was playinr its
role, the airmen and tank crews work
ed over their machines preparatory to
taking their part " the biggest
show" the Americans have given.
There was no question of aerial su.
premacy or should not be. French
planes land French asr-nen supple
mented the American forces, and day
light saw them already in operation.
1t rained early in the night and the
early hours OF the morning did not Of
fer the best, for the avia-
tors, but notwithstanding the mist
the equadrons appeared with the
dawn ready for observation of the
defense. and for offensive combats.
= The Americans pushed ahead all
along the point except at one point.
They met with less resistance, than
they had expected. The Germans made
only one counter attack in an attempt
to stem the on rushing tide.
The Germans began their protective
barrage too early. They gave the Am
orleans warning of what was com
ing and the Americans were complete
ly prepared for the counter attack
when it started.
Prisoners testify to the accuracy
and the deadliness of the American
preparatory artillery fire.. Observers
had so completely located the prin.
cipal German points of defense in adj
vance that the Germans could only
take to their dugouts.
After the American artillery had
reached the drumfire intensity the
American soldiers went over the top
SINGING loudly:
where do we go from here, boys?"