Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-28

By the Associated Press.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
NORTHWEST OF vERDCN, Septem-
Der IS. . am-With their backs to
the outer edge of the Brunhilde line
the Germans today were fighting des-
perately in an endeavor to bring the
American advance to definite halt
The Germans were increasing the
volume of their fire and indicating
anew their determination TO resist to
the utmost.
The Americans are using their artil-
lery freely to break up the enemy
dispositions. The Germans are de-
pending upon machine gun fire at ev-
cry advanced point in their enor1 10
check the Americans.
The line fought for runs through
the northern Argonne woods and east
ward along a line paralleiinS lne
onville-Mon faucon road TO
point near IVORY. ana tnence nor ~ y,
easterly. The Germans are massed IN
the Cierces woods and in the Emont
woods
5000 Prisoners Taken
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
NORTHWEST OF vERDUN. septem-
Der 81 (by the Associated Press).-
The number of pr soners thus far cap
tured by the Americans in their Oh.
fensiye is now placed at 5000. OF
whom 125 are officers. The captured
material includes more than 100 guns.
twelve of which are of heavy cal1per:
many trench mortarS ana nunoreos VI
machine guns.
Along the entire American front the
Germans made stand today. but, IN
spite of their determined EFFORTS 10
hold, their positions yielded one a1tef
another to steady hammerIng. Ihe
sweeping advance of the first day was
slowed down, but tonight the line had
been moved forward far enough TO
satisfy headquarters and WIN the
praise of the French. whose liaison Of
flcers are closely observing the opera
lions.
The country about Montfaucon and
the Argonne forest was the scene OF
desperate contests. The Germans lett
masses of machine guns. and 1t was
against such formations that the
Americans were forced to advance.
In the Argonne forest the fighting
often developed into an almost hano-
to-hand character as the men reverted
to the preliminary principles OF war
fare and crowded forward through
the dense growth. 1t was fighting
without artillery, for the combatants
were too close together to permit the
use of guns and they were left to fight
it out They still are in the forest,
but reports indicated steady progress.
Yankees Advance Steadily.
Apparently theirs was a fight alone,
but along the tanks. even to the
north, units Of Americans had adj
yanced steadily, making certain the
eventual withdrawal of the compare
lively small part of the enemy's force
stationed in the woods to delay the gen.
eral advance.
Tanks again co-operated in the
operations. while airplanes contridut-
ed materially to their success after
the heavy clouds which followed the
rain of the early morning had dis
appeared Muddy roads hindered for
some time the bringing up of artil-
lery. but by noon the guns were in
position. They soon reversed what
had appeared up to that time to be
slight advantage for the Germans. 1t
was evident, however, that the enc
my had recovered sufficiently after
the first staggering attack yesterday
to establish his line along the second
airy defenses. These positions are
good. and it Is expected that from
them the Germans will offer a stub
born resistance in an endeavor at
least to check the offensive
Stiff Fight Near Charpentry.
up Tic SouulAS oh SAo
American left involved stiff fighting
In the region of Charpentry. which
continued until late in the day. The
Germans left strong detachments of
machine gunners fianking the town,
and it was considered wise to sup
plement the infantry's work with that
of artillery. which was placed in
position at midday.
The big jump yesterday. combined
with rain-soaked roads and the Ger
Al Ia of
communication. interfered with the
movement of artillery Upon the ar
rival of the artillery in positions
near the towns, the situation slowly
changed. resulting in the withdrawal
of such Of the Germans as were able
to escape
In the same part of the field bitter
fighting eliminated in victory for the
Americans along the road between
Montblainville and Eclisefontaine.
were reduced by the Germans. avail
ing themselves OF excavations across
the rad. left there as sacrifice to a
heavy force armed with machine
cases were not a hundred yards apart
The enemy's effort to hold the po-
sition cost them dearly.
Further German Sacrifices.
The Argonne forest witnessed fur
Their German sacrifices. They left a
heavy force of infantry behind with
the usual complement of machine
guns. Almost every thicket masked
guns. while from scores of trees
streams of fire confronted the ad-
vancing Americans.
Prisoners brought from the American
left gave information indicating that the
Germans are reinforcing their line.
Among them were troops from two
guards divisions, one more than hitherto
accounted for.
units and included number Of officers