The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-05

General, 154th Brigade, or this action
and directing him to utilize his brigade
reserve for the purpose Of protecting
his left flank. at the same time placing
tho battalion of the Divisional Reserve
at his disposal for a brigade reserve In
case necessity for its use in that capa-
city should arise.
French Information Erroneous.
II was contemplated Of course by
me that the brigade reserve would stop
the zap existing on my left flask. 1
knew that the French had made no ad-
vance, whatever they had attempted. al
though the Information l received from
the corps placed the French at Lancon.
1 told the CORPS however, that the In
formation was entirely erroneous, and
the event demonstrated that my estima-
ton of the situation was correct one.
Notwithstanding my orders to the
commanding General OF the 154th Bril-
gade the brigade reserve was not placed
where 1t could accomplish the end de-
sired Instead of being placed racing
west or northwest 30 as to stop the gap
| in the left OF Whittlesey's command II
| apparently was placed in double column
Of companies about on the spur marked
z12, south OF the road leading into b.
narville from the east.
|
command was Of course recognized by
me as being extremely critical. He had
gone into action with his reserve ra-
tions only-supposedly a supply for two
| DAYS Fear was entertained that MS
ammunition supply might run out, and
| consequently every possible EFFORT was
made by the division to advance our
| line SO as to again come into communt
| cation with him. For this purpose hve
diredD attacks. preceded by such ar
tillery preparation as was possible, were
delivered against the trench systems on
the west of the sector. but none OF
| these attacks succeeded In breaking
through. Neither could the right t53d)
| brigade advance.
Effort was also made by means OF
the Air Service to reach Col. Whittie-
| sey's command with ammunition, ra-
tions and carrier pigeons for commun'-
cation, but owing to the density OF tne
underground and the consequent uncer-
tainty OF his actual position, none OF
these efforts met with success; two
planes and two aviators being lost IN the
effort.
The position on the Bois de la Naza
was strong in ITSELF and was sufnclently
organized to offer serious obstacles to an
advance. In addition to this. my righ'
= flank was quite exposed. there being nc
friendly troops in touch with me on ina,
side. except some scattered elements OF
the division on my right. which were
quite out Of touch with all the remainder
OF their division. Meanwhile, every ef'
fort was being made to filter men 1T
small groups through the interval De-
tween the ridge OF the Bots de la Naza
and the ridge running southeast IRON
the direction of the Moulin de Charle'
vaux. 1t was found that the enemy wire
raIx
vine. the ravine referred to being the
junction of the Rau Fountaine Au,
Charmes and the Rau de Charlevaux al
the western end OF the Bots de la Naza
Advance Is Bitterly Opposed.
Effort was made to build up lin,
or the southern slopes of the Bots d'
Apremont, particularly on the nose JUS
north OF the stream juncture. Thes'
efforts were bitterly opposed by fire com
ing from the reverse slopes OF the Boil
de la Naza and the ridges to its west
with machine gun fire from the front
But after the most determined effort
firing line was finally built up on tn
nose referred TO and this firing line, TAX
ing in reverse the enemy organization
in front of our line, the opposition from
these organizations began to show sign
of giving way early on the morning
October Z.
l At this time communication with Co
Whittlesey's command had been cut OF
: for Ave days and it was realized tina
) they must be short of rations and prob
, ably Of ammunition ~ well. At the frs
sign OF weakening of the hostile resist
3 ance determined advance was mad
by the entire line. which ultimate
l broke through the enemy formation:
9 and the 3O7th Infantry moved up to tn
line established by Major Whittlesey'
3 command. reaching that position abou
!. twenty-one hours the night of Octobe
T. This advance OF the 307th was FOL
lowed very shortly by the entire 153
3 Brigade and by the remainder OF tn
/. 30Sth Infantry.
( The daily and periodical press ha
n seen At to refer to Major Whittlesey'