Omaha daily bee., 1918-10-26
GAIN MADE
ON MEUSE
BY YANKS.
American Footing Fixed More
Security in BeI|eu Wood;
Dominating Heights
Captured.

With the American Army
Northwest of Verdun, Oct.
25.-F'rom a day of extraor-
dinarily severe fighting the
Americans emerged tonight
slightly in advance of the po-
sitions they held yesterday.
The gains made are slight,
but are regarded as extremely
important, especially on the
left where higher ground
dominating much of the sur
rounding terrain has been
gained.
There has been comparatively lit
tie alteration in tNe positions on the
center, but the American footing in
Belleu woods, east of the Meuse,
was more securely fixed, notwith-
standing the determined efforts of
the Germans to force the Americans
back.
Drive Forward Before Dawn.
The fighting for positions just be-
yond Belleu woods began at 4
o'clock this morning when the
Americans drove their way forward.
At daylight the Germans counter
attacked and since the failure of
that operation have launched three
other attacks, equally unsuccessful.
On the extreme left the gains
made by the Americans left them at
the close of the day on the ridge ex-
tending from Talma farm to Belle
joyeuse farm, on line through the
Bourgogne woods.
Clouds and ground mists reduced
aerial activity to a minimum. but
artillery, employing both high ex-
plosives and gas projectiles in enor-
nous quantities, was used by both
sides Besides the artillery reaction
at points where the offensive was in
progress the Germans devoted much
fire to the back areas and that por-
ton of the front about Bantheville,
where the American line was ad-
vanced slightly.
Withdrawal Foreshadowed.
Despite the desperate resistance of
the Germans and their apparent in
tention to initiate a counter often
sive, information falling into the
hands of the Americans continues to
indicate an enemy withdrawal to the
Briquenay line, one informant de-
claring it to be the intention of the
Germans to withdraw to that por-
ton between October Is and 81.
The American troops, despite
strong German artillery fire. i'm
proved their positions at three I'M
portant points along the front east
and west of the Meuse during the
night.
East OF the Meuse the Americans
drove the enemy from the eastern
edge of the Bois D'Ormont, gaining
their objective.
In the region of Grand Pre-, west
of the Meuse, the Americans
Strengthened out their line and cap
tured several important ridges. Be
tween Rappes wood and Bantheville
wood the American line was ex-
tended despite stubborn resistance.
Prepare New Defenses.
1t is reported that the Germans
are preparing now defense positions
in the vicinity of BriquenaN four
and one-half miles north of Grand
Pre-, and that they are expected to
take a stand in that region within
a week.
Among the prisoners captured by
the Americans are members of the
18th division, known as the flying
shock division"
Twelve American soldiers, separa-
ted from their own lines, have re-
turned after spending four days and
four nights hiding in shell holes
and brush in the region of Loges
farm. They fought off small de-
tachments of Germans, but were
unable to reach places of safety
because of the enemy sharp shoot
ers. Notwithstanding the constant
harassing, the IL made patroling
expeditions each night, and brought
back valuable information regard
ing the enemy gun positions. Their
only food during the four days con-
sisted of their emergency rations