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Meuse-Argonne Battles

THE.

Marshal Foch, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied armies in the last days of September, 1918, continued the offensive against the German forces from Switzerland to the sea. In succession he dealt a heavy blow to the German flank in Flanders, struck at the enemy's center along the Hindenburg line and launched a formidable attack on his other flank in Champagne. It was of first importance that the flank in Champagne should be shattered, as it meant the cutting of the German lines of communication with France and Flanders. The breaking of the Meuse-Argonne line would probably lead to the collapse of the enemy, for it served as a hinge to the German retreat in France and Belgium.

The Germans held naturally strong positions which they had strengthened artificially in the most painstaking manner. Here they had concentrated a large force of their best troops. The Argonne Forest, the bend of the Aisne, and the Meuse river offered every advantage for defensive operations. The American Army occupied the lines between the Argonne Forest and the Meuse, joined with General Gouraud's French Army which extended almost to Rheims. Attacking on tended almost to Rheims. Attacking on Oct. 6, the French Army made an advance of four miles and the Americans about six. In the course of two days' fighting the Americans captured Montfighting the Americans captured Mont- Charpentry, Very, and other towns and villages and 10,000 prisoners.

French won some strong points, including Navarin Farm. The To the east of the Meuse the Ameri- To the east of the Meuse the Ameriimportant gains which straightened the flank of the army west of the river. Genflank of the army west of the river. Genvanced to within a few miles of Vouziers. The American drive had brought their line, which ran from Grand Pre to Damguns within range of the Kriemhilde line, which ran from Grand Pre to Daming through the German line, the Americans, capturing prisoners and guns, ading through the German line, the Americans, capturing prisoners and guns, ada twelve-mile front drove the Germans before him and by Oct. 11. held the whole a twelve-mile front drove the Germans operations 20,000 prisoners and 600 guns.

The Americans in the meantime had operations 20,000 prisoners and 600 guns. valley. Oct. 14-17 they captured Pre, Champigneulles, and Romagne, and had valley. Oct. 14-17 they captured Pre, tion. Talma Farm and other strong points were won by surprise attacks.

About the same time the French, cross- MEXICAN WAR ing the Aisne, made important gains in the direction of Rethel. The principal German defense between the armies of Allies and the Belgian border was the line was won by the Allies and the great point near the Meuse to the Bourgogne trunk railway line running from Metz to Mézières through Sedan and Montline was won by the Allies and the great trunk railway line running from Metz to Mézières through Sedan and Montmédy was under bombardment. General Gouraud's Army, the American co-operating, on Nov. 1 crossed the pushed on to the suburbs of Mézières, when on Nov. 11 the Armistice ended the and on the last day of the war had adthe final drive reached Sedan on Nov. 6, and on the last day of the war had advanced east of the Meuse, capturing the The importance of the French and within easy range of his guns.

The importance of the French and American drive in the Meuse-Argonne country cannot be over-estimated as it led to great results. The movement broke the German line of communicawhich would have been far more comwhich would have been far more complete if the Armistice had not put an end to hostilities. The French and won, for the nature of the ground fought over offered every advantage for defense and the Germans had ample reasons for believing their positions were impregnable.

It has been variously estimated that the Germans lost between 100,000 and 150,000 men during the Franco-American offensive in the Meuse-Argonne region. The Americans captured 26,000 troops and 468 guns. The French took over 30,000 prisoners and about 700 guns.