Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-28
Germans Fight Desperately
TO Halt American Drive

the American heavy guns were she'll
the Mouse river. To the northeast the
American heavy guns had the range
of Sivry-sur-Meuse. and the river
bridge. making it impossible for the
Germans to withdraw their equip
ment
At various points west of the Meuse
the Americans captured many machine
guns. trench mortars and small ar.
tillery pieces, which have not yet
been counted.
movements to the northward had been
detected. the Germans moving from
Montfaucon to Eantillois and from
Brieulles-sur-Me to Cunel. They
also reported that German ammuni-
ton dumps were blazing at various
points.
All of Officers at Work.
Infantry forces held in reserve
abandoned their old quarters when
the attacking troops advanced and
moved steadily up after the attacking
forces. The commander of these re-
serves drew into active service on the
front every member of his staff to
perform extraordinary and unusual
work Even the Judge advocate was
impressed as a military police officer
and was sent out to assist In .>revent-
ing congestion on the roads.
treated so rapidly that the American
infantry had difficulty in keeping in
touch with them. 1t Immediately be-
came a problem Of the greatest I'M
portance to advance the artillery as
fast as the infantry went forward.
From early in the day, therefore. con-
ditions on the roads became vital and
everything except ambulances had to
cede the right of way to light and
heavy artillery that surged forward.
Roads were now and again blocked.
but under the skillful direction of Of
fcers. including one general, who for
hours did duty as a military police
man. the tangles were Strengthened
out and guns moved forward again.
Captures Spur Endeavor.
Thicker and thicker grew the con-
gestion as the artillery approached
their new positions. Engineer regi-
ments worked with amazing skill in
repairing the shell-shattered roads.
Signal Corps officers and men rapidly
strung telephone and telegraph wires
fantry.-, Reports Of newly captured
positions drifted in slowly and stead
lily, but each new report was an added
spur to the effort to press forward.
Aerial observers today reported fires
in the region of Haraumont and
and in the territory under the fire
of the American artillery for the past
few days. The first are believed to
represent ammunition dumps set on
fire by the enemy and temporary
frame buildings erected in Brieulles
The American artillerymen assume
that the fires were started by shells
from the heavy guns they are using.
Further Retreat Indicated.
Early this morning the starlit sky
was illuminated for miles by the ex-
plosion, of ammunition dumps of the
enemy who also is reported to be
blowing up works and bridges. indi-
eating intentions of a further retreat.
In getting his guns back to fresh
positions the enemy will have the ad-
vantage of sounder ground, for the
whole region around Verdun has been
is in an indescribable torn up condi-
ton.
The enemy's morale seems better
than at the st. Mihiel affair, and at
places he has fought sternly. This
was especially noticeable yesterday.
ed instead Of being taken by frontal
attack.
Counter Attacks Fail.
The counter attacks Of the enernv
failed to make any impression on the
American front. the whole line of
which was slightly advanced during
the day: It included tonight the VII
lagos Of Charpentry. Very. Epinon-
vile and IVORY.
The resistance of the Germans, how.
ever. has steadily increased at almost
every point. Apparently they are
making desperate efforts to hold their
newly established positions.
The greater part of their line upon
which counter attacks were thrown
was that held by Gen. Cameron's
Corps. These counter attacks were