THE AMERICAN STROKE AT ST. MIHIEL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 308, 17 September 1918, Page 5

THE AMERICAN STROKE AT ST. MIHIEL

; A STOCKTAKING,OF RESULTS FOCH'S STRATEGY SUGGESTS DRAMATIC POSSIBILITIES , By Te]o£raplz--Presß Aasoclation-Copyricht. ■ • ■ Washington, September 15. 'The Americans advanced 011 both sides of St. Millie] in considerable force, the French attacking in the centre. The Germans resisted a little in one restrict. Throe thousand five hundred _ surrendered after ■ the briefest fight. There Was considerable bayonet fighting. It is believed that the Americans have now reached Pajjcny, on tho German border, '["ho opening of the Nancy-Toul-Verdun railway is of great strategic importance. It is understood vliat • Hindenburg recently inspected the defences of Metz.—Alis,-N.Z. Cable Assn. . ' IS METZ THE OBJECTIVE? New York, September 15. -.ir. Cameron Mackenzie, correspondent for the "New York Times" with the American Army, states that the Americans in attacking east of St. Mihiel 'encountered slight resistmco in the first system of German defences, ami swept to the second line ahead of s-chedule. There tho Germans ' resisted heavily. The American cavalry were in action. . The "New York Times" correspondent at Washington states that military officials and experts believe that Metz is the goal ot Foch's new drive. It is .estimated that a quarter of a million /•merican troops are engaged.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. . fi ' METZ UNDER LONG-RANGE GUNFIRE FURTHER. ADVANCE BY THE AMERICANS. (R«c. September 16, 8.40 p.m.) . London, September 15. The news to-day from the American front is highly satisfactory. Since yesterday they have advanced from two to three miles'oll the whole front of thirty-three miles, whilo the patrol? have penetrated a further two miles. It appears that the Germans'are retreating to a line protecting the railways before Metz, which is under long-range gunfire, Thero were six enemy divisions operating in the St. Mihiel salient, of a total strength of sixty thousand, with ft reflex strength of thirty-six thousand. The booty includes masses of material, over, a hundred guns of all calibres, and hundreds of machine-guns and trench mortars. The bridges in the reconquered territory are not damaged. Tho line.at nooii ran from Norfo.v to Rembercourt,' Hauhiont, Dencourt, Auxtempliers, and Abaucourt, and thence to the old line. The Metz. guns are in action.—Reutcr. FOCH'S GENIUS AGAIN DEMONSTRATED PAVING THE WAY FOR INVASION OF GERMANY NEXT YEAR (Rec. September 16, 7.30 p.m.) New York, September 14. Mr. Frank Simmonds, commenting 011 the American offensive 011 the St. Mihiel sector, says: "Marshal Foch's success is a magnificent, example of the advantages of unified command and a revelation of Foch's military genius. It is hopeful evidence that there will not be a let up in the general Allied offen- ■ sive. Focli is now free to launch an offensive in the direction of Briey and tho iron mines without danger to his southern flank at Nancy, between Mctz and Strasbourg, which would .be ths beginning of the real invasion of Germany. This is certain to come in 1919. compelling the Germans to evacuate Northern France and Western Belgium.''—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. : . ALLIES' FRONT REDUCED BY 22 MILES. _ • • Washington, September 15. General March (United States Chief of Staff) says that the removal nf the St. Mihiel salient lias reduced the Allies' front by twenty-two miles, and releases a corresponding number of forces, besides giving a better base for future offensive operations. The total direct advance is thirteen miles.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rcc. September 16, 5.5 p.m.)' ■ Washington, September Id. General March explains that the salieit was captured by means of quick blows on both flanks. Tho terrain was difficulty Tho Germans claimed -hat they voluntarily retired, but General March jjointe out that tho total captures of prisoners exceeded fifteen thousand. St. Mihiel was not destroyed, owing to tho Germans' hurried retreat. 0 Propagandists have_ been actively suggesting that the United States does not intend to proceed vigorously with tho war. General March says that such a suggestion is utterly unfounded and preposterous. Insteiul. the War Department is about to ask for an inoreascd appropriation totalling £1,400,000,000 for military purposes. KING GEORGE'S CONGRATULATIONS London, September 15. The King has telegraphed to President Wilson: "On behalf of the British Empire, I heartily congratulate the brilliant achievement of the American and Allied troops, under the leadership of General Pershing, in the St. Mihiel salient. The far-reaching results of these sucoessful operations, which marked tile active intervention of the American Army 011 a great scale under its own administration, are the happiest augury for complete, and I hope not far distant, triumph for the Allied cause."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WITH THE FRENCH ADVANCE ON THE AISNE (Rec. September 17, 0.50 a.m.) London, September 16. Iteuter s correspondent at French Headquarters writes: —"Tho fiercest fighting on Sunday was at Tiger Wood, near Vfiilly whero the French overcame thestuborn resistance .and advanced their line. General Mangin captured Hill 154, Vauxaillon, and Meunejean,, each of whioh dominates the Soissons-Man-Road and the Chem'in-des-Dames. Tho French have occupied Hill 180, nominating Vailly at the head of the oancy and Jouy valleys. Judged by the number of corpses, the enemy's losses must have been exceptionally heafty. The Germans are still holding the plateau oif Jouy, but the French overlook their positions."—Renter.

THE OFFICIAL REPORTS AMERICAN SUCCESS REVIEWED London, September 15, 3.30 a.m. An American cflicial message slates: "In the St. Jliliiel sector our advance units maintained touch with the enemy's forces, and repulsed a counterattack in tho legion of Jaulny. AYe are now able to estimate the success obtained during two previous days. The dash and vigour of our troops and tho valiant French divisions with which tliey fought shoulder to shoulder is shown by tho fact that the forces attacking 011 both faces of the salient effected a junction, and secured the results desired within twenty-seven hours. Besides liberating over 150 squaro miles of territory and taking fifteen thousand prisoners, wo captured a mass of material. Over a hundred guns oi all calibres, hundreds of machine-guns and trench mortars ivero taken, despite tho enemy having during the retreat burned large stores. A partial examination of the battlefield shows that great quantities of ammunition, telegraph and railroad material and rolling stock, clothing and equipment were abandoned. Further evidence of the haste in which the enemv retreated is revealed by tho uninjured bridges left behind. Tho French pursuit, bombing and leconnaissanee units, also British and Italian bombing units, divided with our air service the control of the air, and contributed materially to the success of the operation."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Aosn.-Ileuter, (Rec. September 16, 13.3.5 p.m.) London, September 16. All American official report states: "On the St. Mihiel sector there was increased artillery and aviation activity. Tho enemy's counter-attack near St. Hilaire was easily repulsed. A number of prisoners was taken on the left bank of the Moselle. Our lines have been advanced from one to two miles, and now include the towns of Vilcey and Norroy. The extension of our lines beyond Jaulny resulted in bringing in 72 additional guns, which had been abandoned by the enemy in his hasty retreat. This brings the total number of guns captured to over two hundred."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. THE FRENCH ADVANCE ON THE AISNE FRONT A' SERIES OF SUCCESSES., London, September 15, 12.50 p.m. A French communique states: "South of St. Quentin we advanced to the outskirts of Fontaine-les-Cleres. Between the Oise and the Aisne we made local attacks with the object- of improving our positions, and captured the village of Allement and the LafFnux Mill, in spite of severe resistance. We increased our progress east of Sancy and north-east of Celles-sur-Aisne. Two thousand five hundred prisoners have been counted. South of the Aisne we progressed and captured the village of Glennes. In the region of Vauxaillon we stopped three enemy counter-attacks against our new positions during the night. We repulsed several raids in the Champagne and in Lorraine.''-— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,-Router. (Rec. September 16, 9.40 p.m.) London, September 16. _ A French communique states: "South-east of the Oiso the enemy a_gain counter-attackcd violently. Everywhere our positions have been maintained. We captured to-day the plateau eastward of Vauxaillon. Further south we advanced beyond Meunicun Farm, capturing the crcst_ north-east of sur-Aisne. Since yesterday morning we have' taken prisoner over 2500."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. PROGRESS ON THE BRITISH FRONT London, September 15, 12.50 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "North-west of St. Quentin wo raado further progress yesterday, and at night south and north of Holnon Wood. We repulsed local hostile attacks at 'JVescault and'oll the La Bassee sector. The hostile artillery was active at night 011 the Roisel, Moeuvres, Marquion, and Givenchy sectors, and used gas shells north-west of Armentieres."—Aus.N.Z Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. September 16, 8.40 p.m.) London, September 15. Sir Douglas Haig reports a successful minor operation. "Early this morning we captured Maissemy, northward of St. Quentin, and also system south-east and eastward of the village. There was considerable hostile artillery activity at a number of points along the battlefront southward of the Arras-Cambrai road."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. THE ENEMY'S REPORT \ ■ (Rec. September IG, 8.40 p.m.) London, September .'5. A wireless German official report states:. "General von Carlowitz's army was again engaged in a heavy battle between tho Ailette and the Aisne, in tho region of Allemant. The enemy pressed forward across the height eastward of Laffaux."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. THE WAR IN THE AIR BRITISH AIRMEN HELP IN AMERICAN OFFENSIVE. • London, September 15. Sir Douglas Hnig reports: "Our aviators 011 Thursday and Friday actively participated in the American offensive, notwithstanding gale,' clouds, and rain."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-lieuter. (Rec. September 16, 8.40 p.m.) London, September 15. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "The enemy's aircraft were active on September 14. Wo destroyed four and also two two-seaters on tho ground during a successful attack- at a low height on the morning of Sejicmber 15. We again attacked at Metz-Sablons railway triangle, and scored many direct hits. The enemy scouts were active. Wo also bombed the Buhl aerodrome. Three British machines are missing. We also bombed the Daimler works at Stuttgart 011 September 15 with good results. During this raid we encountered twenoy hostile aircraft, of which'we destroyed two. All the British machines returned. We dropped 27 tons of bombs in twenty-four hours."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ' THE RECORD FOR AUGUST. London, September 15. . Twenty-one important German towns were bombed by the Independent Air Force in August, including the following, each of which was attacked three times:—The factories and railways at Frankfort, the chemical factories at Mannheim, the railways at Metz-Sablons, Saarbourg, and Thionville, and the railways and workshops at Treves. Other towns bombed once were Battenbourg, Burbach. Coblentz, Cologne, Darmstadt, Pillingen, Duren, Ehrange, Karlsruhe, Luxembourg, Offenburg, Remilly, Romtiach, Saaralbe, and Volkingen. Over s htindred tons of bombs were dropped during the past three months. A total of 249 raids have been made in Germany, and '247 toii3 of bombs dropped. The German territory thus brought into the war zone iepresents a belt of the Rhine Valley approximately 250 miles long—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. , WITH THE FRENCH SQUADRONS (Rec. September 16, 8.40 p.m.) London, September 15. ' A French .communique states: "The fine weather of September 14 permitted considerable aerial activity. There were numerous severe fights, in which fourteen enemy machines were brought down and seven balloons set on fire. The enemy's troops were also v attacked by machine-gun fire, and GJ tons were dropped on tho enemy's assemblages. Over 23 tons of bombs were dropped at night on the railway stations at Laon and Conflans."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.