Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-10-18
SWIFT DISASTER
MAY AWAIT HUNS
NEAR GRAND-PRE

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
NORTHWEST OF VERDUN. Monday,
Oct IA, Z P. M-CBy the Associated
Fress. Prom east of the Mouse to
the vicinity of Grand-Pre, American
forces chopped a series of fresh notcheS
in the German line today. They Kept
up their swinging blows at the enemy
from early this morning until late this
afternoon.
While the Germans resisted with grim
determination, their decision to hold till
the last the portion of the line before the
Americans may open tie way TO SWIFT
disaster.
Although the action extended to the
eastward bank of the Meuse, the most
savage fighting took place about Ro-
enemy is striving to maintain that sec
ton of the Kriemhild line running
enthusiastically from Romagne. Ihe
battle has been in and over the wire
entanglements before this defensive po-
sition and the excellent natural forth
fications along which the present line
of resistance is laid. Hanging on the
wire tonight are Germans whose equip
ment bears evidence that another fresh
division has been brought up to meet
the steady pressure of the Americans.
There was some artillery preparation
for the American attack but it was not
much heavier than that offered by the
Germans in defense along their wire
defenses until late in the day, when
there was a slight falling off in the
volume of fire. At that time, there
was a movement of artillery toward the
rear of the German positions reported
by aerial observers.
Use Artillery Freely
The artillery counter action was some
what different than usual. On the least
indication of movement in the Ameri-
can lines, the Germans laid down a bar
rage of such intensity as is ordinarily
used only preliminary to an offensive.
Not content with their artillery defense,
the Germans made an extraordinarily
liberal use of gas. Thousands of gas
shells, both mustard and lethal, were
hurled into the rain-Saturated woods and
raV1neS through which the Americans
crept forward. Although the gas clouds
hung tenaciouSly to the ground, the
americans were not seriously hampered
IN their general operations. Discip-
line and experience have taught them
the value of gas masks.
Heavy clouds and rain prevented air
men from giving material assistance
during the battle. In spite of the driz-
zle, however, several flying craft did get
over the lines late in the day. They con-
trlbuted somewhat to the success of the
bility. Flying low above the German
lines, they launched heavy gusts of ma
chine gun fire on the forces north of the
tangled wire defenses. The roads, woods
were softened by the long rains and
progress was difficult. Nowhere, how
ever, was there any apparent reduction
in the spirits of the men.
The greater part of the resistance east
of the Mouse was from machine guns,
but in spite of them and the reinforced
German lines, the Americans straight
ened their line between the Sivrey ana
the Magenta farm.
Tough Machine Gun Nest
To the west of Romagne the Germans
had fortified one bit of sunken road
with machine guns in such a manner
that it was regarded necessary to blast
y away with big guns. The Germans
had tunneled openings for machine guns
through the banks on the sides of the
road and every little tunnel was lined
with cement. All attempts to take this
position were fruitleSS unless the ma
chine guns were silenced by direct
hits.
Between Romagne and Landres-et-St
George is a small hill covered with
woods and the fighting was extremely
fierce along it's slopes, to which were
Joined the barbed wire defenSes that
stretched from LandreS-et-St. George to
st. George, a mile and an alf further
west. These positions were deluged with
defended by the Germans who rolled
tains of high explosive and shrapnel
shells.
Along the line from st. Juvin to ST.
Georges, more rapid progress was made.
but in general the operations were con-
fined almost entirely to the main de-
lenses along the center of the line. Dur
ing the battle the Germans directed a
haraSSing fire on numerous points back
of the American lines.