The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-10-02
CHAPTER lvIlI-continued.

and the Third on its TANKS. The Sew
enty-ninth division captured Montfau-
con the morning of September q and
on the next day Nantillois and the
Bots de Beuge were passed despite
determined resistance.
In the Third corps the Eightieth d.
vision had taken the Bots de la Cote
tack after attack made with logged
determination across the open space
toward Neutrality-suspicious. was rolled
back by the CALLING fire of the enemy
from the town and it's vicinity and by
the artillery firing from east of the
Mouse.
The Thirty-third division main
tanned it's position September q and
IS and on September 20 relieved the
Eightieth division by extending its
left along the northeastern edge of
Bots de la Cote Lamont, where it oc-
cupied difficult ground under the DOM
mating heights east of the Meuse.
The Fourth division captured Nam
tillois September q. but was forced
by enemy counter-attacks to retire.
The town was retaken Ind held on
the following day by troops Of the
Fourth and Seventy-ninth divisions.
After three days of almost continuous
fighting the Fourth had taken the Bots
de Brieulles and entered the Bots de
Ogons but could not hold the latter
against counter-attacks and the dead
~ machine-gun and artillery fire Of
the enemy. The fortitude and cour-
age of the Fourth division in these
operations were inspiring.
Meet Strong Resistance.
The Thirty-seventh division on Sep
TENDER 27 attempted to advance be-
yond the Iyoiry-Montfaucon road. but
each time it reached there was driven
back by heavy Smelling. On Septem-
Der %, however, it pushed forward
to position north Of the Cierges-Nan-
tillois road. Cierges was entered, but
not held. The following day the divi-
sion again attacked Cierges, but the
advance was abruptly halted by con-
centrated artillery fire.
The Ninety-first division on Sep
TENDER 81 encountered strong opposi-
ton at Epinonville, which was reached,
but could not be retained. Eclisfon-
taine was taken, but was evacuated,
as an artillery barrage was to be laid
on the road through the town the
following day.
EpinOnville was finally captured
September %, and the Bots de Clerges
was occupied after hard fighting. Two
attacks of the division from the Bots
de Cierges on September % crumbled
under fierce artillery and enfilading
machine-gun fire, but on the third
attack. despite severe losses, Gesnes
was taken.
The full advantage of this impOr-
tant gain was lost, however, through
the inability of the Thirty-seventh
division to advance it's left. This
placed the right flank on the Ninety
first in dangerous position, and it
had to be withdrawn. During the aft
ernoon the Thirty-fifth division was
subjected to a heavy counter-attack,
which also involved the left of the
Ninety-frst, but made no progress
against it.
Three new German divisions had
appeared by September 80 on the
front of the First corps, and the bat
tie continued with increased intensity.
The Thirty-tifth division was
stopped by heavy fire soon after it's
attack opened, September q, but later
in the day it captured Charpentry and
advanced to the ridge northeast,
though suffering severe casualties
Montrebeau wood was taken Septen-
Der %, and early next morning de-
tachment reached Exermont valley,
but, being nearly surrounded, with
drew to the starting point. Encoun-
tering very heavy artillery fire and
an advance of the German Fifty-sec-
Ond and Fifth guard divisions, the
Thirty-ffth withdrew from Montre-
beau wood, which 1t had taken the
day before. The Thirty-fifth suffered
heavier casualties than any other d.
vision during these four days of con-
tinuous fighting.
The Twenty-eighth division, though
subjected to strong artillery and ma
chine-gun fire from the bluffs of the
Argonne, captured Montblainville Sep
TENDER 81. 1t could max. slight head
way against firm opposition from po-
sitions in the vicinity of Champ Ma
haut. but carried them on September
%. and also captured Apremont. On
September 20, after repulsing a Ger
man counter-attack, a slight advance
was made against the defenses Of LIE
Chene Tondu.
The Seventy-seventh encountered
stiff resistance in the Argonne Sep
TENDER q, and was held to small
gain, but moved forward about a nile
on September %. Next day it's right
was advanced with little opposition.
During the first four days of fight
ing the First army, west of the Meuse,
had made a maximum advance of
about eight miles, reaching the Bots
de La Cote nt-Nantillois-Apre-
mont. The enemy had been struck a
blow so powerful that the extreme
gravity of his situation in France was
obvious to him.
CHAPTER LIx
The second phase of the Meuse-A Ar
gonne operation. the period from Oc-
tober 1 to IL, involved the heaviest
strain on me and the army.
There was little time to make read
justments among the troops, heavily
engaged. without giving the enemy a
respite in which to strengthen his de.
lenses and bring I'D reserves