The Republican., 1931-09-24
Continued from last issue)
Troops overrun obieetives.


ond and Forty-second, had received
positions on the southern face oppo-
site the open spaces, to enable them
to flank the wooded areas quickly,
thus aiding the advance Of less expe-
rienced units assigned to these areas.
The whole line, pivoting as planned
on the Eighty-second division on the
right, advanced resolutely to the at
tack. The entire operation was car
ried through with dash and precision.
By afternoon the troops had pushed
beyond their scheduled objectives and
by evening had reached the second
days objective on most of the south
ern front.
The division Of the Fourth corps
(Dickman) and those on the left Of
the First corps CLiggett) overwhelmed
the hostile garrisons, and quickly over
ran their positions. carrying the fight
ing into the open. The German resist
ance on this part of the front was dis
organized by the rapidity of our ad-
vance and was soon overcome. Al
though the enemy was expecting an
attack, he did not think it would take
place so soon and it therefore came
as surprise.
When the First division, Oh the
marching flank Of the southern attack,
had broken through the hostile for
ward positions, the squadron of cav
airy attached to the Fourth corps was
passed through the breach. At 1 AS
p. m. it pushed forward to reconnoiter
the roads toward Vigneulles, but en-
countering machine guns in position
was forced to retire.
Western Attack Slower.
On the western face of the salient
progress was not so satisfactory. The
Twenty-siXth division, in it's attempt
to make deep advance toward
Vigneulles, met considerable resist
ance, and except for a battalion of
the division reserve had Eot reached
the days objective.
The French at the tip of the salient
had attempted to follow up the flanks
Of our successful penetrations, but
made only small advances. Upon the
request of Gen. E. ]. Blondlat, CON-
manding the French Second Colonial
, corps, a regiment of the Eightieth d.
vision (Cronkhite), in reserve, was
sent to his assistance.
On the afternoon Of the Twelfth,
learning that the roads leading out
Of the salient between the two attacks
were filled with retreating enemy
troops, with their trains and artillery,
/ gave orders to the commanders of
the Fourth and Fifth corps to push
forward without delay.
Using the telephone myself, 1 direct
ed the commander of the Fifth corps
to send at least one regiment Of the
Twenty-sixth division toward Wig
neulles with all possible speed.
That evening a strong force from
the Fifty-first brigade pushed boldly
forward and reached Vigneulles at
2:15 a. m. the 18th. 1t Immediately
made dispositions that effectively
closed the roads leading out of the
salient west Of that point. In the
Fourth corps the Second brigade of
the First division advanced in force
about dawn Of the 18th, it's leading
elements reaching Vigneulles by a.
m. The salient was closed and our
troops were masters of the field.
Could Have Passed Hindenburg Line.
The troops continued to advance on
the 18th, when the line was estab-
lished approximately along the final
objectives set for this offensive. In
view of the favorable situation created
Just west Of the Moselle river by our
successes farther to the left, limited
attack was made on that part of the
front by elements of the Eighty-sec-
ond and Ninetieuh divisions, with good
results.
During the night our troops all
along the line were engaged in organ
izing their new positions for defense,
preparatory to the withdrawal of di-
visions and corps troops for partici-
patton in the Meuse-Argonne battle,
September IA, Is and 16 local opera
tions continued, consisting Of strong
reconnaissance and occupation Of
better ground for defensive purposes.
Beginning the 18th, several counter
attacks were repulsed. The line as
finally established was: Haudiomont,
Fresnes-en-Woevre, Doncourt, Jaulny,
Wanderers.
Reports received the 18th and 14th
indicated that the enemy was retreat
ing in considerable disorder. Without
doubt an immediate continuation Of
the advance would have carried us
well beyond the Hindenburg line and
possibly into Metz, and the tempta-
ton to press on was very great But
we would probably have become deep
ly involved and delayed the greater
Meuse-Argonne operation, to which
we were wholly committed.
During the fighting from September
IL to 16 the German One Hundred and
Twenty-ifth, Eighth landwehr, Eighty
eighth and Twenty-eighth divisions, re-
enforced the enemy's line and several
other divisions arrived in reserve po-
sitions. September 16, in front Of the
First army, there were ten German
divisions and two brigades in line and
seven divisions in reserve.
Erench Over loved bv Release,