Meanwhile we were not only able to continue the battle, but our 37th and 31st Divisions were hastily withdrawn from our front and dispatched to help the French Army in Belgium.  Detraining in the neighborhood of Ypres, these divisions advanced by rapid stages to the fighting line and were assigned to adjacent French corps.  On October 31, in continuation of the Flanders offensive, they attacked and methodically broke down all enemy resistance.  On Nov. 3 the 37th had completed its mission in dividing the enemy across the Escaut River and firmly established itself along the east bank included in the division zone of action.  By a clever flanking movement troops of the 91st Division captured Spitaals Bosschen, a difficult wood extending across the central part of the division sector, reached the Escaut, and penetrated into the town of Audenarde.  These divisions received high commendation from their corps commanders for their dash and energy.

MEUSE-ARGONNE—­LAST PHASE

On the 23d the 3d and 5th Corps pushed northward to the level of Bantheville.  While we continued to press forward and throw back the enemy’s violent counterattacks with great loss to him, a regrouping of our forces was under way for the final assault.  Evidences of loss of morale by the enemy gave our men more confidence in attack and more fortitude in enduring the fatigue of incessant effort and the hardships of very inclement weather.

With comparatively well-rested divisions, the final advance in the Meuse-Argonne front was begun on November 1.  Our increased artillery force acquitted itself magnificently in support of the advance, and the enemy broke before the determined infantry, which, by its persistent fighting of the past weeks and the dash of this attack, had overcome his will to resist.  The 3d Corps took Ancrevlle, Doulcon and Andevanne, and the 5th Corps took Landres et St. Georges and passed through successive lines of resistance to Bayonville and Chennery.  On the 2d the 1st Corps joined in the movement, which now became an impetuous onslaught that could not be stayed.

On the 3d advance troops surged forward in pursuit, some by motor trucks, while the artillery pressed along the country roads close behind.  The 1st Corps reached Authe and Chatillon-Sur-Bar, the 5th Corps, Fosse and Nouart, and the 3d Corps, Halles, penetrating the enemy’s lines to a depth of twelve miles.  Our large-caliber guns had advanced and were skilfully brought into position to fire upon the important lines at Montmedy, Longuyon and Conflans.  Our 3d Corps crossed the Meuse on the 5th and the other corps, in the full confidence that the day was theirs, eagerly cleared the way of machine guns as they swept northward, maintaining complete coordination throughout.  On the 6th, a division of the 1st Corps reached a point on the Meuse opposite Sedan, twenty-five miles from our line of departure.  The strategical goal which was our highest hope was gained.  We had cut the enemy’s main line of communications, and nothing but surrender or an armistice could save his army from complete disaster.