Meanwhile we were not only able to continue the battle, but our Thirty-seventh and Ninety-first Divisions were hastily withdrawn from our front and dispatched to help the French Army in Belgium.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 November 3 the Thirty-seventh 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 Ninety-first 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.

[Sidenote:  Preparation for the final assault.]

On the 23d the Third and Fifth 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.

[Sidenote:  The final advance begins.]

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 Third Corps took Aincreville, Doulcon, and Andevanne, and the Fifth Corps took Landres et St. Georges and pressed through successive lines of resistance to Bayonville and Chennery.  On the 2d the First Corps joined in the movement, which now became an impetuous onslaught that could not be stayed.

[Sidenote:  Aid of large caliber guns.]

[Sidenote:  The enemy’s line of communications cut.]

On the 3d advance troops surged forward in pursuit, some by motor trucks, while the artillery pressed along the country roads close behind.  The First Corps reached Authe and Chatillon-sur-Bar, the Fifth Corps, Fosse and Nouart, and the Third Corps Halles, penetrating the enemy’s line to a depth of 12 miles.  Our large caliber guns had advanced and were skillfully brought into position to fire upon the important lines at Montmedy, Longuyon, and Conflans.  Our Third 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 First Corps reached a point on the Meuse opposite Sedan, 25 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.