Arizona republican., 1918-09-28
HAND T0 HAND FIGHT GIVES GERMANSH|NT
 YANKEE PEP
Determined Closeup Scrap Forces Huns to Abandon
 Strong Positions in Mud dy Fields of Charpentry

WITH THE AMERICAN FORCES NORTHWEST OF VERDUN, Sept. 2. -(By the Associated Press) All along the entire American front the Germans made stand today, but in spite of their determined efforts to hold their positions yielded one after another to steady hammering. The sweeping advance of the first day was slowed down. but tonight the line had been moved forward far enough to sat isfy headquarters and with the praise of the French, whose liason officers are closely observing the operations.
 Scene of Desperate Contests.
 Ire country about Montfaucon and the -Argonne forest was the scene of desperate contests. The Germans left masses of machine guns and it was against such formations that the Americans were forced to advance. In the Argonre fcrest the fighting often developed into an almost hand to- hand character as the men reverted to the preliminary principles of warfare and crowded forward through the dense growths. It was fighting without artil- lery, for the oonlbatants were too close together to permit the use of guns and they were left to fight it out. They
 
 dicatc steady progress.
 Americans Advance Steadily. Apparently theirs was a fight alone, but along the Hanks, even to the north units of Americans had advanced steadily. making certain the eventual withdrawal of the comparatively small part or the anemy's force stationed in the woods to delay the general ad- vance
 Tanks again co-operated in the operations, while Girplanes contributed materially to their success after the heavy clouds which followed the ra n of the early morning had disppered. Muddy roads hindered for some time the bringing up of artillery, but by noon the guns were in position. They soon reversed what had appeared up to that time to be a slight advantage for the Germans.
 Recovers From Staggering Attack. It was evident, however, that the enemy had recovered sufficiently after the first staggering attack yesterday to establish his line along the second ary defenses. These positions are good and it is expected that from them the Germans will offer a stubborn resist ance in an endeavor to at least check the offensive.
 Hopping up the country on the American left involved stiff fighting in the region of Charpentry which continued until late in the day. The Germans left strong attachments ol machine gunners for flanking the town and it was considered wise to SUD- plement the infantry's work with thai of artillery, which was placed in posi- tion at midday.
 Some Germans Withdraw.
 The big jump yesterday. combined with rain soaked roads and the Ger man destruction of their lines of com munication, interfered with the move. ment of artillery. Upon the arrival O. the artillery in positions near the towr the situation slowly changed and re- suited in the withdrawal of such 0, the Germans as were able to escape IT the same part of the field bitter fight. ing eliminated in victory for tn, Americans along the road between Montblainville and Eclise Fontaine Strong positions about Montblainvill, were reduced by the Germans, avail ing themselves of excavations across the roads. The opposing lines in som, cases were not hundred yards apart The enemy's effort to hold the posi- tion cost them dearly.
 Enemy Sacrifices Heavy.
 The Argonne forest witnessed fu- ther German sacrifices. They left heavy force of infantry behind witt the usual complement of machine guns ,, Almost every thicket masked guns , while from scores of trees streams o fire confronted the advancing Ameri cans.
 l, Prisoners brought from the Ameri can left gave information indicatin that the Germans are reinforcing thei line, among them were troops from tw guards divisions, one more thal l hitherto accounted for.