East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-09-18

| the guns on the south of the salient
up to the newly formed line to con-
tinue the harrassing fire. One battal-
ion of the N14sth moved up, and took
position near Boullonville followed
by second battalion near Limey; the
remaining battalions continued fir
ing. Before the guns could be moved
over the shell torn no mans land, and
placed into positions the German line
fell back. and after two days severe
firing in the riginal position for the
attack. the attempt to keep up with
retreating German army which had
left its heavy guns and materials. the
K. P. F. with their weight disadvant-
age were forced out of the race and
on September 10th orders We're receiv-,
ed. (nuch to the relief of units that
had been on the move for three weeks
rand had gone through the successful
offensive of st. Mihiel. and were on
that day either fighting through the
mud Of the captured territory, or still
firing from first position to get all
guns into travelling position. and re-
port to brigade rendezvous. in the Bois
de Sivry, in the rear of the Verdun and
along the rear lines of the next battle
gonne- Meuse.
Brigade Hurries To Post
The brigade hurried to their post
and Joined the troops already taking
position along the line of the last and
most bitterly fought battle field of
the American forces which was to
open only 10 days from the date or
ders were received to leave the st. Mi
- tel rrI,1
ed the Sivry woods, reconnaissance
was started, and preparations made to
take part in the opening attack of the
Argonne, an attack that presaged a
battle differing from the St Mihiel
fight for 1t was clear that the Ger
mans had decided to take a stand and
fight the American army to finish.
The sector on the western front,
known as the Argonne, lay west of
the Meuse river and to the north and
west of verdun. This was a densely
wooded, broken country, almost
roadless and fortified by the Ger
mans to the last degree OF military
skill and behind the sector ran the
Mezieres-SedanM Metz railroad, life |
artery to the Germans.
Meuse is Hinge.
With the Meuse as a hinge, allied |
operations planned a combined Of
fensive along the entire front, and so
successful had the American first ar
my been at st. Mihiel, that General
Pershing was given the post of hon
or with his armies for taking over
and forcing the fighting through the
Argonne forests. The first success
Of the Meuse Aronne battle was un-
doubtedly won before shot was fired
in this sector-a success from a mill
tary point of view in the haste in
which American division and army
units were transferred from the ST.
Mihiel front into the line northwest
If Verdun. Nine American divisions
we're moved within a matter of days,
md the staggering speed of the Am
srican army movements gave the Ger
mans little or no opportunity to con-
.entrate for renewed defensive
Igainst the victory-flushed American
Lrmy.
Orders to Leave Received.
On September 10th, the 146th and
4sth regiments of G. P. F. received
riders to leave the st. Mihiel sector,
nd proceed overland to the Boise de
ivry and from there to take posi-
ions along the line assigned eto tn
'irst American army. The brigade
ad been taken from corps command
blowing the st. Mfhiel battle and re-
ssigned as army artillery under com
land Of chief of artillery of the ar
~ who assigned the two regiments to
ie Meuse grouping of tractor drawn
rmy artillery consisting of the 66th
A. brigade, the 57th C. A. c., and
'veral units of heavy French artil-
ry. This groupement was COM
anded by Colonel r. d. Scott and
insisted of a total of 107 long range
,avy guns. The general positions
signed the grouping were to the east
ON the Meuse along the line of at
elk. The 66th F. A. occupied posi-
ms Immediately next to the Meuse l.