Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-23

Of Dun-sur-Meuse, as originally plan
ned
In conjunction with the operations
by 1.-THE French 18th Corps, the 5th
Corps (Cameron) attacked in force Oc-
tober and continued its efforts the
next two days. The Sd Division (Buck)
progressed on the 9th and after fierce
fighting seized Madeleine Farm, which
block, and partially cleared the Bots
de Cunel. The following day it COM
pleted the capture of that wood and on
the 18th extended its gains to the
northwest.
The sgd Division CHaan) reached
Romagne october and penetrated the
enemy trenches on Cote Dame Marie on
the 10th, but was driven from the lat
ter and established its lines on the
southern slopes of the hill.
91st Suffers Heavy Casualties.
The 9lst Division (Johnston), on the
left of the 32d Division, fought all day
on the 9Th for Hill ass, suffering
heavy casualties, and the following day
occupied the position The advance
then continued until stopped on Hill
288 and the Cote Dame Marie. The
division was relieved the night Of Oc-
tober IL.
The lst Division (summeralD, in a
resolute attack, captured the difficult
enemy positions on and near Hill 272
on the 9th, and established its line
on the 10th north of the Cote de
Maldah. It also was relieved on the
18th. During the operations of the 9th
and 10th, the 181st Brigade John B.
McDonald) Of the 9lst Division, was
attached to the LIST Division, being
transferred to the 32d Division on the
night of the 10th.
The advance Of the Sd Corps
(Bullar0 was bitterly contested by the
enemy, but october 10 the 4th Division
(Hines) fought its way forward be-
yond the Cunel-Brieulles road. Two
determined assaults against the Bots
de Peut de Faux were broken up, but
on the third attempt the northern edge
Of that wood was attained. The divi-
sion gained the far side of the Bots
de Foret on the 18th against severe
opposition.
The Both Division (Cronkhite) on the
9Th, in the face of very heavy fire.
pushed forward to a short distance
north Of the Bots DIES Ogons. The divi-
sion's attacks continued, and when re-
lieved, two days later, it had reached
line slightly south and east Of Cunel.
On the front of the LIST Corps Gig
gett the opposition encountered on the
10th was less determined, and the 82d
Division Duncan) by midnight had
established its line beyond Marcq, while
the line of the nth Division (Alexsn-
der) ran westward from there On
the 18th, however, the fighting was
severe, yet the 3d. regardless Of heavy
casualties, advanced to a position north
Of Sommerance. This town, though in
the sector of the 1st Division, was oc-
cupied by the SD to protect its own
flank.
Germans Pushed Miles.
The night Of October IL our line ran
from east to west roughly as follows:
Molleville Farn-Bois de Ia Cote
Lemont-part Of Bois de Foret-South
Of Cote Dame Marie-Sommerance-
Grandpre.
While these operations on our 1st
Army front were in progress. the 30th
Division Of the I'd Corps (Read) attacked
october 8 as part Of the British 4th
Army, aiding materially in the general
advance Of that army. The attack. al
though meeting considerable opposition,
was successful, and the progress con-
tinued three days. When relieved the
night Of the 18th the Both Division
had driven the enemy back miles and
had reached the Selle River.
In the series Of attacks which began
October and continued up to the 18th.
the enemy contested every inch Of
ground, and much close fighting oc-
CURED. Our troops were engaged in
some of the most difficult and bitter
fighting on the western front advanc-
ing through dense woods, over hills and
across deep ravines against the Ger
mans holding on to this vital sector,
with a skill equaled only by that of
the French in their defense of Verdun
in 1915. Yet all our corps advanced
their lines, the 5th capturing elements
Of the Hindenburg line, which our
troops were now facing.
Early in the Meuse- Argonne offensive
most of the French air division was
withdrawn from the LIST Army front.
This considerably reduced our aviation
strength and the German flyers began
to do more serious damage to our
troops. Therefore 1t was necessary to
concentrate our attention on the
enen1ys aviation and to make every
effort to obtain superiority.
The tendency of our air force at first
was to attach too much significance to
flights beyond the enemy's lines in an
endeavor TO interrupt his communica-
tons. However, this was of secondary
importance during battle as aviators
were then expected to protect and assist
our ground troops. In other words,
they were to drive of hostile planes
and procure for the Infantry and Ar
tillery information concerning the
enemy's movements.
Our AviatOrs Unsurpassed.
The best results we're not obtained
until We sent additional aviators to
serve a while with the Infantry and
study the problem from its point of
view. Selected Infantry and Artillery
officers were also sent to fly with air
pilots. Once in command of the air,
the enemy's artillery and ground troops
became the object of their attacks. IN
dividually our aviators were unsurpassed
in boldneSs, in fortitude and in skill.
These daring flyers who fought their
opponents in the air, We'd with their
fearless comrades Of the Infantry, who
grappled with the enemy on foot. Men
of both arms left a record of heroic
deeds that will remain a brilliant page
In the annals Of warfare.
The third phase Of the Meuse-Ar-
gonne operations began October IA.
During the previous phase important
gains had been made along the whole
front against increasing intensity of re-
sistance. The retirement of the enemy
in front Of the allies to the west, which
was being accelerated by our persistent
gains in the East, indicated clearly that
he was trying to save himself from COM
. plete disaster, which It was urgent that
we should strive all the Rore vigorously