OFFICIAL DETAILS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 67, 16 September 1918, Page 7

OFFICIAL DETAILS

MASS OF MATERIAL CAPTURED ( AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION AND MST7TEK..) LONDON, 14th September, 1.35 a.m. An American official report states : In the St. Mihiel sector we have achieved further successes. The junction of our troops advancing from south of the sector with those advancing from-the west has given us possession of the whole of the salient to points ,twelve miles north-east of St. Mijjiel, and resulted in the capture of many prisoners. Forced back by our steady advance, the enemy is retiring and destroying large quantities of materials as he goes. The number of prisoners has risen to 13,300. Our line now includes Horbouville, Thillot, Hattonville, St. Benoit, Jaulny, Thiaucourt, and Vieville. (Received September 16, 9.30 a.m.) . ' LONDON, 15th September, 3.30 a.m. An American official message states : In the St. Mihiel sector our advance units maintained touch with the enemy's forces, and repulsed a counter-attack in the region of jaulny. We are now able to estimate the success obtained during t\-o previous days. The dash and vigour of our troops and the valiant French divisions with which they fought shoulder to shoulder is shown by the fact that the forces attacking on both faces of the salient effected a junction, and secured the results desired within twenty-seven hours. Besides liberating over 150 square mile of territory and taking fifteen thouand prisoners, we captured, a mass of material. Over a hundred guns of all calibres, hundreds of machine guns and trench mortars were taken, despite the enemy having during the retreat burned large stores. A partial examination of the battlefiefd show's 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 enemy retreated is revealed by the uninjured bridges left behind. The French pursuit, bombing, and reconnaissance units, also British and Italian bombing units, divided with our air service the control of tho air, and contributed materially to the success of the operation.