South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-07
AME RICANS DRIVE
AHEAD AGAINST
HOT RESISTANCE
Desperate Fighting Stir Con-
tinueS on Verdun Sector,
Americans Gaining at
Each Thrust.

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
NORTHWEST OF VERDUN. oct. Z.
The American troops on the line
stretching westward from the
Meuse, who are opposed by re-
nforced units of the German army
Strengthened out the kinks left in
their long front Sunday. Like mann
moth football teams the various sec
tions OF the American forces bucked
the line steadily Reports sent to
the rear by the commanding officers
accounted for so many yards gained
by smashing jolts delivered.
II was a day lacking spectacular
operations hut a summary OF the
reports reaching headquarters indi-
cated the desperate character of the
lighting The general line was not
materially altered. but such changes
as were made were TO the advantage
Of the Americans. There was no at
tempt 10 make a general advance.
but rathef 10 consolidate the posi-
tons already acquired
Huns I'm Dangerous Position.
The operations OF the French
west of the Argonne forest served
to make more hazardous the posi-
tiOns Of the Germans. who are find
ing themselves deep in the steadily
growing salient between the French
and the Americans.
ON the Americans right, near the
Mouse, the woods and ravines about
Cunel were cleaned out. and fur
ther west Money wood. which has
been the scene Of terrible fighting
for two days. was finally cleared of
the enemy.
The battle from the wood TO
Petit continued for the greater part
of the day. but the close Of the en-
gagement brought a Strengthening
out of the line there. as at other
places.
The movement Of the Americans
against the woods about Cunel was
undertaken after a terrific artillery
preparation lasting for hours. Shells
were thrown in vast numbers so.
when the infantry finally did ad-
vance. the resistance encountered
was comparatively feeble. When
the lighting was over it was dis
covered that the Germans had
withdrawn from the lowland be
tween Money wood and Petit Bots
Enemy ConsOlidates Positions.
1t developed that the Germans in
the process Of consolidating their
positions had brought forward ma
chine guns to a degree perhaps
never previously attempted by them.
At certain sections of the line they
were only FIVE yards apart.
Realizing the necessity of holding
that part Of the line faced by the
Americans because the way there
to the rear Of the Kriemhilde de-
lenses would endanger the main
lines of communication. the Germans
have continued TO reinforce this
front. New divisions have been
brought up and heavy concentra-
lions carried out south Of Landres ct
St Georges.
Fires are reported at Brieulles.
Dun-sur- Meuse and Aincreville, but
il is believed that they were started
by shells falling on ammunition
dumps and storehOuses, rather than
that they indicated the destruction
of property preparatory 10 a fur
ther Withdrawal
American aviators have carried
out their usual bombing missions
and have done excellent work spot
ting for the artillery and in obser-
walton. Out Of the ordinary task
entrusted TO the airmen was the
supplying OF certain advanced unit
with supplies. Planes dropped on
them packages Of ammunition, med
ical supplies and concentrated ra-
tons. as numerous bars Of choco-
lates.