Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-09-20

WITH THE AMERICANS ON THE
METZ FRONT, Sept. 1s-American
aviators today reported shells from our
heavy artillery dropping in the center
Of Metz A big factory has been struck
and direct hits have been scored on the
Notifications.
An even week since the start of the
American drive in this region finds our
army thoroughly at home fifteen miles
within the line which the Germans held
for four years. The new line has been
thoroughly consolidated, roads repaired
and the country generally cleaned UP.
Refugees are returning to villages be-
tween the Mouse and the Moselle, which
had been under shell fire since 1914.
The Americans are steadily pushing
their line forward, following up the pa
trolls and their advanced positions are
now directly in front of the new Hin
denburg line which the Germans es-
tablished in this region last February
Our patrols have reconnoitered this
section of the Hindenburg line several
times and returned with reports con-
corning conditions. The American main
line now runs through Ronvaux, Man
heuIles,- PinthsviI1e, ST. Hiliare, Don
court. woel Haurnont, between Jaulny
and Rembercourt, north of Wanderers
and south of Champey, to the old line.
Patrol encounters are frequent and
mbardment of the front lines and rear
areas is heavy. The enemy is reported
to be mining Haumont, apparently pre-
pairing to eVacuate the terrain in that
vicinity in a great retrograde movement
to Mars-laTour and Chambley. (Cham-
bley is three and a half miles north
of Rembercourt. Marsha Tour is this
same distance north of Chambley, on
Al
Contains, and is one of the chief spil-
liars of the Hindenburg line)
American artillery blew up a great
ammunition. dump behind the German
lines, made a direct hit on a big gun
at LachausSe 1.-TWO miles north of Hau-
mont) and inflicted other damage.
The advance of the American line is
resulting in Strengthening out several
crooks which were formed in the past
three days. Villages, woods, quarries
and dugouts which were passed over by
the patrols are being mOpped up by
the slower moving main body.
Constant contact is maintained with
the Boche rear guards, which have now
been cleared from the territory below
the Hindehburg line. The enemy has
now taken up his main positions along
the line on the whole front between the
Mouse and the Moselle.
One American patrol was reported to-
day to have penetrated 800 yards beyond
Pagny- -Moselle 1.-TWO miles north of
Wanderers and just across the river
from the German frontier).
A certain American division has now
established a record of capturing ninety
guns. Additional prisoners are constant
ly being brought in.
The Germans in this region apparently
were well fed. Quantities of candy
cheese and other delicacies have been
found in enemy dugouts.
The Germans are now dropping propa-
ganda over the American lines from toy
balloons appealing to the soldiers of
German ancestry to join them and as
sorting they will find greater liberty and
opportunities in the fatherland." One
propaganda sheet asserts that President
Wilson is more English than American
and pictures Germany as defending her
self against the whole world. The eff
feet is laughable, as the German-Ameri-
cans are the most bitter toward the
enemy of any men in our army.
A captured German wrote note
which he asked to be sent to the Ger
man lines declaring the stories told
them regarding Americans slaughterlng
prisoners are untrue. He said many Of
his, comrades are tired of fighting and
would surrender but for fear of beinS
killed 1t is evident from this that the
German command is conducting propa-
gauda among it's own troops in an Ell
fort to instill the fear of capture thus
hoping to bolster up their weakening
morale.
Artillery dueIs and counter raldlng
continues in the Vosges sectors. one
Ar,o-ican natrol penetrated the German
lines there to a great distance ana
hro,,,b+ hack a number of prisoners.