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In the course of the next few days the entire, 7th and 8th Turkish armies were virtually annihilated. The mobility of the allied forces and the boldness of Gen. Allenby's plan of hitting at the strongest point in the Turkish defenses added to the success. The rush of the British cavalry completed the enemy's discomfiture.

The Turkish reserves consisted of troops which recently arrived from the Caucasus. Field Marshal Liman von Sanders, commander of the Turkish forces, and his staff escaped capture by only six hours. British cavalry, pushing up the Mediterranean coast of Palestine, occupied Haifa and Acre. The capture of these ports represented an advance of sixty miles in the operations. Allied troops reached Es-Salt, fifteen miles northwest of Amman.

Damascus Taken.

Troops of an Australian mounted division entered Damascus Monday night, Sept. 30. At 6 a. m. Oct. 1 the city was occupied by the British forces and by a portion of the Arab army of King Hussein. More than 7,000 prisoners were taken. British troops entered Aleppo Oct. 26.

Surrender Announced.

The surrender of Turkey was announced in the French chamber of deputies Oct. 31 by Admiral Leygues, minister of marine. who said:

"A few days ago Gen. Townshend was freed to go to inform the British admiral commanding in the Egean sea that the Turkish government asked that negotiations be opened with a view to conclusion of an armistice between Turkey and the allies.

"Rear-Admiral Calthorpe replied that if the Turkish government sent regularly accredited plenipotentiaries he had the necessary powers to inform them of the conditions under which the allies would consent to cease hostilities and that he had the power to sign on behalf of the allies an armistice based on these conditions.

"The Turkish plenipotentiaries arrived at Mudros at the beginning of this week, The armistice was signed last night [Oct. 30] by Rear-Admiral Calthorpe on behalf of the allies. and it became effective this noon.

"It is impossible to publish the complete terms, but they include:

"Free passage of the allied fleets through the Dardanelles to the Black sea.

"Occupation of the Bosporus and the Dar danelles forts as necessary to guarantee the security of this passage.

Must Return Prisoners.

"The immediate release and return of all allied prisoners of war." commander of the Gen. Townshend was British Mesopotamian force which surrendered at Kut-el-Amara on April 29, 1916. Gen. Townshend had been sent as a prisoner to an island in the Sea of Marmora.

Collapse of Austria.

The collapse of Austria-Hungary followed close on the heels of that of Turkey. There were many minor engagements along the Piave and in the mountainous regions after the illfated Austrian drive in June, but there was nothing like a general offensive until after the middle of October. On the 23d of that month the Italians, aided by the French and British, attacked in the Monte Grappa region and on the Asiago plateau. They also struck along the upper reaches of the Piave river and before the 25th had taken 3.000 prisoners. On the Piave they captured the islands of Grave di Pappadopolo and Maggiore, which are in the vicinity of Odrizo. They took prisoner the enemy garrisons of these islands. A little farther to the north and west the Italians made important progress in the region of Monte Grappa, the scene of some of the hardest fighting of the war. They crossed the Ornic river and captured Monte Solarolo and part of

Monte Prassolan and Monte Pertica. On the Asiago plateau they took Monte Sisemol. An official Italian communique issued on Oct. 28 said:

Our army, in conjunction with allied contingents, has crossed the Piave river by force of arms, engaging in bitter battles the enemy, who strove desperately to bar the way.

"Between the slope and heights of Val Dobbiadene and the mouth of the Soligo torrent cur infantry assault troops passed during the night, under violent fire, to the left bank of the river, broke into the enemy's front lines and carried them.

Supported by the fire of the artillery on the right bank, they gained ground and repulsed enemy counterattacks throughout the day.

To the south the 10th army, taking advantage of the successes of the British at Grave di Pappadopolo, compelled the enemy to retire and repulsed two counterattacks in the direction of Borgo Malanotte and Roneadelle. "The prisoners taken yesterday aggregated more than 9,000. Fifty-one guns were captured."

By the night of the 29th the allied troops were nearly eight miles east of the Piave river and still were driving the disorganized Austrians before them. Cavalry and light infantry detachments forced a crossing of the Monticano river, routed the enemy rear guards at Vazzola and headed in the direction of the Livenza river to the east.

Over the forty mile front from the region of Monte Grappa, in the north, eastward and then south nearly to Ponte di Piave, twenty miles north of the sea, Italian. British and French troops everywhere reported a victorious advance.

At the north end of the attack line on the Piave Italian troops stormed Val Dobbiadene, swept up and took the heights of Colfosto. overran the Susegana plain, and took the town of that name. Conegliana, five miles northeast of the left bank of the Piave, was occupied and passed in the advance.

North of the Montello the French took Monte Pionar by storm, while Italian troops. north and west, crossed the Ornic river, an east and west stream which flows into the Piave, and drove the Austrians from Alano di Piave.

British units, far to the west of the Brenta, raided the enemy trenches opposite Asiago and found them unoccupied.

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The captures in materiel were heavy, cluding not only field artillery but cannon of large caliber.

American troops under Maj.-Gen. Charles G. Treat crossed the Piave river with the 10th army, composed of British. Italians and Americans, under Lieut.-Gen. the Earl of Cavan. This was the first army to begin erations by establishing a bridgehead across the Piave river at the island of Grave di Pappadopolo.

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By Oct. 30 more than 50,000 Austrian pris oners had been taken, with 300 guns and great quantities of military stores. An official statement from Rome said that hordes of the enemy were streaming in rout from the mountain passes, seeking to cross the Tagliamento river, about ten miles east of the Livenza. The Italian. British and French troops crossed the Livenza at several places along its headwaters and were headed for the Tagliamento. beyond which lie the Isonzo and the Austrian frontier. To the south the 3d Italian army, which forced several passages of the lower Piave on the 29th. was driving the enemy before it, despite some show at resistance.

Italian troops reached Ponte delle Albi, northeast of the city of Belluno, in the north. thus definitely dividing the Austrian armies.

"The enemy is completely defeated east of the Piave." said an official Italian dispatch. "and is with great difficulty sustaining the incessant pressure of our troops in the mountain region. in the plain, and in the Alpine foothills of Venetia. Our armies are aiming

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AUSTRO-ITALIAN BATTLE LINES IN 1918. irresistibly toward the objectives which have been designated.

"The enemy masses are streaming in confusion down the mountain valleys in an attempt to reach passes on the Tagliamento. Prisoners, guns, war materiel and storehouses, scarcely touched, fell into our hands.

The 12th army, after having completely taken possession of the height of Ceseme, is The fighting to conquer the pass of Quero. 8th army has conquered the ridge between the valley of Follina and the valley of the Piave and has occupied the pass of Seravelle, advancing toward the plain of Cansiglio, aiming at the plain of Pordenone. The 10th army has brought its front on the Livenza.

The 3d army, is pushing ahead, overwhelming and capturing the enemy, who offers a bitter resistance. Czecho-Slovak troops are participating in the action.

"In the Grappa region our troops renewed their attack and this morning succeeded in conquering Col Caprile, Col Bonatto, Asalone, Monte Prassolan, the salient of Solaro, Monte Spinoncia and the plateau of Asiago.'

On Nov. 1 the official Italian account of the battle operations read:

The battle continues all along the front. The enemy is strongly maintaining his resistance from the Stelvio to the Astico, but he is wavering beyond the Asiago plateau and is in utter rout all along the rest of the front. The greatest defense that the enemy has is the natural obstacles along the road of its retreat.

"Our troops are full of enthusiasm and are following the enemy relentlessly.

The 12th army, after conquering the pass of Quero, has rapidly advanced south of Belluno and after brilliantly rounding the depression of Vadalto has advanced on Belluno and occupied the city.

The 3d army, re-enforced also by a regiment of marines, has occupied the whole intricate zone along the Adriatic.

"In the direction of Udine the Italian troops are also fast advancing. Pordenone has fail

borhood of Busche, have spread out in the area between Feltre and San Giustina.

"Italian troops which yesterday won in heavy fighting at the Passo di Boldo, the hol-government. low of Fadalto, are going up the Cordevole valley. They have passed beyond Ponte delle Alpi and are marching toward Longarone.

"On the plains an Italian cavalry division under the count of Turin, having overcome the stubborn resistance of the enemy at Castello d'Aviano, Roveredo in Piano, San Mar tino and San Quierino, occupied Pordenone and passed the Cellina-Meduna line.

Our own and allied aviators are complete their daring activities. An Italian airship bombarded the railway station in the Sugana valley at night.

masters of the air and continue without pause

"It is not possible to calculate the number of guns abandoned on the lines of battle now distant from the fighting fronts and in the roads. More than 1,600 have been counted. "More than 80.000 prisoners have been

the evening one of the Austrian envoys left
by motor car for Serravalle with a draft of
the conditions to communicate to the Austrian
"The Austrian plenipotentiaries were
much depressed and did not show themselves
outside the villa nor walk in its ample gar-
dens."
Armistice Signed.

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The terms of armistice offered by the allies were accepted by the Austrian government and the document was signed by Gen. Diaz and the Sunday, Nov. 3. At 3 o'clock on the followAustrian representatives on the afternoon of ing day hostilities ceased all along the line. On the evening of Monday the Italian war office issued the following statement: under the high guidance of the king, the suThe war against Austria-Hungary, which preme leader of the Italian army, inferior in numbers and raateriel, began the 24th of May. 1915, and which, with unbending faith and tenacious valor has been conducted uninter

counted. Our soldiers have liberated several ruptedly and bitterly or forty-one months, has

thousand prisoners from captivity."

Austria Raises White Flag.

been won.

The gigantic battle engaged in on the 24th of October, in which fifty-one Italian division8 and three British, two French, one CzechoSlovak and one American regiment particiagainst sixty-three Austro-Hungarian divisions, is ended.

Even before this stage of the battle had been reached the Austrian authorities realized that it would be useless to continue the strug-pated gle any further and steps were taken to secure an armistice. This proceeding was thus described by a correspondent of the London Times:

Toward the evening of Oct. 29 an Austrian officer was seen coming from the enemy trenches close to Serravalle, above Ala, in the Adige valley. It became evident at once that the white flag was genuine and Italian officers went forward to meet him.

"The officer, who was a captain, declared that he had come to discuss the conditions of an armistice. Taken to a neighboring command and questioned, he was found not to have any authoritative papers and was sent back with a message that a more representative and duly accredited mission should be sent if the matter was to be pursued.

"On Wednesday evening a white flag, was again hoisted. The Austrians having evidently determined to make due sacrifice of their pride, this time more fitting personalities appeared. At the head of a small group that approached the Italian trenches was the Austrian Gen. von Weber, a corps commander. The party consisted of eight persons and included another general and naval and military officers. There were also civilians, either diplomatic or government representatives. and secretaries and typists.

They were treated with every courtesy, and when Gen. von Weber had formally stated his mission and shown that he was the bearer of credentials he and his party proper were driven next day in motor cars to the Villa Giusti, close to Gen. Diaz' headquarters. At 9 o'clock in the morning, Gen. Badoglio, the chief of the staff, drove with an escort of cavalry to the villa. and on his arrival all the troops present saluted and the bugles were sounded.

"Entering the villa. Gen. Badoglio found all the Austrian mission standing in a line in the drawing room awaiting him. Gen. von Weber was in full uniform, wearing the stars and ribbons of his orders. Gen. Badoglio saluted him and upon seating himself asked the Austrian general his errand. Gen. von Weber replied that he had come to ask the conditions upon which an armistice would be granted. Gen. Badoglio answered that within an hour he would let him know the general lines of such an armistice contained in a written message. He then left the room and the written message in question was at once sent to the villa.

The daring and very rapid advance of the 29th army corps on Trent, closing up the eremy's armies in Trentino, who were overcome to the west by troops from the 7th army and to the east by the 1st, 6th and 4th armies, brought about the total collapse of the enemy's front.

"The Austro-Hungarian army is destroyed. It suffered very heavy losses in the fierce resistance of the first days of the struggle, and in pursuit it has lost an immense quantity of materiel of all kinds, nearly all its stores and depots, and has left in our hands about 300,000 prisoners, with their commands complete, and not less than 5,000 guns.

"This defeat has left what once was one of the most powerful armies in the world in disorder and without hope of returning along the valleys through which it descended with haughty assurance.'

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Victory Hour for the Allies.

On the anniversary of Britain's entry into the war, Aug. 4, Field Marshal Haig, commander in chief of the British forces in France, issued this special order of the day:

"The conclusion of the fourth year of the war marks the passing of the period of crisis. We can now with added confidence look forward to the future.

"The revolution in Russia set free large hostile forces on the eastern front, which It were transferred to the west. was the enemy's intention to use the great numbers thus created to gain a decisive victory before the arrival of American troops should give superiority to the allies.

The enemy made his effort to obtain a decision on the western front and failed. The steady stream of American troops arriving in France has restored the balance. The enemy's first and most powerful blows fell on the British.

"The superiority of force was nearly three

to one. Although he succeeded in pressing back parts of the fronts attacked, the British line remained unbroken.

At

"After many days of heroic fighting, the glory of which will live for all time in the history of our race, the enemy is held. the end of four years of war the magnificent fighting qualities and spirit of our troops remain of the highest order,

"I thank them for the devoted bravery and unshaken resolution with which they responded to my appeal at the height of the struggle, I know they will show like steadfastness and courage in whatever task they may yet be called upon to perform."

"Meanwhile telegrams were exchanged with Versailles, and during the afternoon the precise details under which an armistice would be granted were received from Sig. Orlando. That the field marshal spoke truly was the Italian prime minister, and again in writ-proved by after events. The period of crisic ter form handed to Gen. von Weber. During had been passed, for thereafter and until the

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On Aug. 3 and 4 Gen. Pershing was able to report: The full fruits of victory in the counteroffensive begun so gloriously by Franco-American troops on July 18 were reaped to-day, when the enemy, who met his second great defeat on the Marne, was driven in confusion beyond the line. of the Vesle. The enemy, in spite of suffering the severest losses, has proved incapable of stemming the onslaught of our troops, fighting for liberty side by side with French, British and Italian veterans. In the course of the operations 8.400 prisoners and 133 guns have been captured by our men alone. Our troops have taken Fismes by assault and hold the south bank of the Vesle in this section."

Foch Made Marshal of France.

On Aug. 6 the French council of ministers elevated Gen. Ferdinand Foch to the rank of marshal of France. In connection with this event Premier Clemenceau said:

"At the hour when the enemy, by a formidable offensive, counted on snatching the decision and imposing a German peace upon us. Gen. Foch and his admirable troops vanquished him.

"Paris is not in danger, Soissons and Chateau Thierry have been reconquered and more than 200 villages have been delivered.

"Thirty-five thousand prisoners and 700 cannon have been captured and the enemy's high hopes of the week before have been crushed. The glorious allied armies have thrown him from the banks of the Marne to the Aisne. Such are the results of the high command's strategy, superbly executed by incomparable commanders. The confidence placed by the republic and by all the allies in the conqueror of St. Gond. the Yser and the Somme has been fully justified."

Smash in Picardy.

On Aug. 8 the British and French launched an offensive in Picardy and on a front of more than twenty miles astride the Somme pressed forward from six to seven miles, taking more than 10,000 prisoners and capturing Moreuil, Hamel and numerous other places. In his report of the first day's operations Gen. Haig said:

The operations commenced this morning on the Amiens front by the French 1st army under command of Gn. Debeney and the British 4th army under Sir Henry Rawlinson are proceeding successful y, The assembly of allied troops was completed under cover of night, unnoticed by the enemy.

"At the hour of assault French. Canadian, Australian and English divisions, assisted by a large number of British tanks, stormed the Germans on a front of over twenty miles from the Avre river at Braches to the neighborhood of Morlancourt. The enemy was taken by surprise. and at all points the allied troops have made rapid progress.

"At an early hour our first objectives had been reached on the whole of the front attacked. During the morning the advance of the allied infantry continued actively assisted

by British cavalry, light tanks and motor machine gun batteries.

"The resistance of German divisions in the line was Overcome at certain points after sharp fighting, and many prisoners and a number of guns were captured by our troops. The French troops, attacking with great gallantry, crossed the Avre river, and despite the enemy's opposition carried hostile defenses. North of the Somme the great part of our final objectives were gained before noon, but in the neighborhood of Chipilly parties of the enemy offered prolonged resistance, In both localities the fighting was heavy, but ultimately our troops broke down the opposition of the German infantry and gained their objectives.

South of the Somme the gallantry of the allied infantry and the dash and vigor of their attack had gained during the afternoon the final objectives for the day on practically the whole of the battle front.

"Assisted by our light tanks and armored cars. cavalry passed through the infantry and beyond our objectives, riding down the German transports and limbers in their retreat. and capturing villages and taking many prisoners."

Chipilly Ridge.

The hard fighting at Chipilly ridge mentioned in Gen. Haig's dispatch was done chiefly by Australian troops but they were ably assisted by American soldiers, former national guardsmen from Chicago and vicinity. whose work won the highest praise. They fought like veterans and contributed materially to the victory. The battle was thus described in the dispatches of Aug. 10:

"Details of the brilliant battle which the Americans and British fought for the spur are now available. In order to go over the top at the appointed time yesterday afternoon the Americans were forced to make a rapid march, in the last part of which they ran so as to be in the fight.

"The American machine gunners and infantry went into battle with their traditional enthusiasm. They met the Germans and defeated them here, just as they did along the Marne.

"At places stiff resistance developed, but all along the line the Americans. British and French smashed through the harassed enemy. who was trying to hold up their advance.

"Chipilly spur, north of the Somme, was captured by the American and British troops at 6 o'clock. The attack began at 5 o'clock. when the allies drove forward between the Ancre and the Somme. They were supported by tanks and were preceded by a heavy barrage fire. The enemy was driven toward Bray, northeast of Chipilly.

"In the American attack the German infantry held for a while and then broke, and the Americans kept going. at some places without the assistance of the tanks. The ground. pitted with deep gullies. was unsuited for tank warfare.

"There were no trenches, but a thin smoke screen blowing across the ground indicated where the enemy's positions lay. At the same time the German artillery became active and dropped shells in the direction of the American troops which inflicted a few casualties. The Americans, however, ran on and reached the smoke line just as it lifted. There they found themselves at grips with the enemy.

"Meanwhile certain American units had reached positions in front of a wood when the Germans opened fire with machine guns. Many of these enemy machine gunners came up from deep dugouts after the American barrage had ceased and they placed their guns in prepared pits. The Americans faced a hail of bullets here. The Germans continued to fire until the Americans and English put them out of action."

On Aug. 14 Gen. March, chief of staff, announced that the American regiment officially commended for valorous deeds in the battle of Chipilly ridge was the 131st infantry, formerly the 1st Illinois infantry, from Chicago. The regiment was commanded by Col. Joseph B. Sanborn.

Fall of Montdidier.

La Fere. By the 9th the Germans had been driven back to the original Hindenburg line. where their resistance began to strengthen. Enemy's Effort Spent.

Montdidier was taken by the French on Aug. 10 and further ground was gained. The British also continued to advance and by the 11th the allies had taken 36,000 prisoners, including 1,000 officers, and had captured On Sept. 10 Field Marshal Haig issued the more than 500 guns. the day It was a heavy blow following order of to the British and even the Deutsches Zeitung of Berlin was armies in France: compelled to say: "The events between the "One month has now passed since the BritSomme and the Avre constitute the first seri-ish armies, having successfully withstood all the attacks of the enemy, once more took the offensive in their turn. In that short space of time, by Aug. a series of brilliant and skillfully executed actions, we have repeatedly same German armies whose defeated the vastly superior numbers compelled our retreat last spring. What has happened on the British front has happened also on the front of our allies.

ous defeat of the war."

on

On the Oise-Aisne front Gen. Mangin's 10th French army delivered an attack 19-20 which netted 8.000 prisoners and liber: ated many towns. In the Lys salient to the north the British also advanced several miles. On the 21st Lassigny was taken by the French. This was the cornerstone of the German position south of the Avre river after the fall of Montdidier. At the same time Gen. Haig attacked on a ten mile front from Arras to Albert, advanced about three miles and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, On Aug. 24 the British captured Thiepval and Bray and reached the vicinity of Bapaume. On the 26th Canadian troops captured Wancourt, Monchy-le-Preux and pressed on yond. By the 28th the French had taken Chaulnes and Nesle.

Battle of Juvigny.

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Accompanied by a fleet of tanks and 20vered by a heavy artillery barrage, the American troops swept forward early on Aug. 29 against the German lines on the Juvigny plateau. The battle was thus described by a correspondent:

The Americans took the village of Juvigny after bitter resistance. Their positions extended north toward Chavigny late this afternoon, when the battle had developed into one of the most desperate in which Americans had yet fought. The Yankees' advance was slowed up by the bitter defense of the Germans as the afternoon advanced. The German positions were shelled most vigorously by heavy guns, mortars and light pieces, firing almost point blank, as well as by long range naval guns, which searched the positions far and near. And then the infantry advanced.

"Already we have pressed beyond our old battle lines of 1917, and have made a wide breach in the enemy's strongest defenses.

"In this glorious accomplishment all anks. arms and services of the British armies in

France have borne their part in the most
Worthy and honorable manner.

The capture of 75.000 prisoners and 750 guns in the course of four weeks' fighting speaks for the magnitude of your efforts and the magnificence of your achievement.

"We have passed through many dark days together. Please God, these never will return. The enemy has now spent his effort and we rely confidently upon each one of you to turn to full advantage the opportunity your skill, courage and resolution have created."

Battle of St. Mihiel.

Sept. 12 will always be a red letter day in the American military annals. for it was on that day that the 1st army under the leadership of Gen. Pershing won the first really large operation undertaken by the expeditionary force in France. This was the attack on and wiping out of the famous St. Mihiel salient. A dispatch written on the first day of the attack described it as follows:

"The attack, which started early this morning. extended on the southern side for a distance of twelve miles. from St. Mihiel northeastward to Pont-a-Mousson and northward from. St. Mihiel for a distance of eight miles.

North of St. Mihiel, Gen. Pershing's men have taken Combres and have reached the western outskirts of Donmartin La Montaigne, about six or seven miles up toward Verdun, as well as Les Eparges and the neighboring hills, it is reported.

"Up over the plateau the infantrymen went toward Juvigny and across the little railroad running north and south. The Germans im- "French troops, co-operating with the Amermediately began to employ the tactics of sim- icans and under Gen. Pershing's direction, ilar retreats, leaving their rear defended by a struck at the southern point of the salient at line of machine guns hidden behind every St. Mihiel. The offensive, the first underclump of brush. promontory and woods. Only taken on a pretentious scale by the Amera few detachments of infantry were left, the icans, was planned by the American staff and army again adopting measures calculated to is being executed by American officers and save the most men possible. From Couronne troops. Tanks, artillery, airplanes, even down woods and another little wood standing like to the narrow gauge roads rushing forward scntinels behind Juvigny and the American ammunition-all are manned by Americans. lines the German guns delivered a deadly "To the east of St. Mihiel the Americans crossfire. Juvigny is only a village, but, lo-have captured Thiaucourt, Pannes and Nonsard. cated along the side of a hill, it offered a peculiar opportunity for defense. until the advancing forces moved into positions from which they were able to make it untenable. The resistance then stopped, the Germans retiring farther east into more broken ground." On the same day that the Americans took Juvigny the French captured Noyon, an important center for which there had been severe fighting. The British reached the west bank of the Somme, opposite Brie and Peronne, and captured Bapaume. On Aug. 31 the British announced that the whole of the Lys salient, including the famous Mont Kemmel, the "key to Ypres," had been taken. On Sept. 1 they captured Peronne, Bullecourt and St. Denis. On the same day Americans for the first time fought on Belgian soil and captured Voormezeele. On Sept. 2 the British pierced the Drocourt-St. Queant "switch line and began a drive toward Douai and Cambrai. By the 4th they had crossed the Canal du Nord. At the same time the Germans evacuated Lens. On this day the Germans were retreating on a front of 130 miles from Ypres south to Noyon. They withdrew before the Americans in the Vesle region. On Sept. 6 the French took Ham and began a drive on

"The attack was launched this morning at 5 o'clock after a tornado of artillery preparation which lasted four hours. Light, medium and heavy artillery swept the German posishells. The entire triangle for miles back was tions with gas, high explosives and shrapnel an inferno of blasting metal, fairly smothering the enemy positions.

"In many cases smoke screens were used to add to the demoralization of the boche and to render uncertain the aim of his machine gun

ners.

"Promptly at the zero hour the American troops left their trenches: some deployed as skirmishers where the nature of the ground permitted, others in platoon formation, wave following wave. There was not a hitch along the entire line. The infantry advance was synchronized with the artillery behind an intense rolling barrage timed for an advance of 100 meters every four minutes.

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