Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-08
GERMANS DRIVEN
BACK, SAY FRENCH
Artillery Engagements Con-
tinue Along Fighting Line
in the West.
AMERICAN AVIAT0RS
IN CHAMPAGNE BATTLE
Lieut.. Thaw and Sergts. Prince and
Cowden Mentioned in Order
Of Day.

French war Office this afternoon. There
was also artillery activity in the re-
gion of Roye and to the north Of the
River Aisne.
In the Champagne district there was
violent bombardment on the part Of
the German artillery. with very ener-
getic replies from the French cannon.
There was also active fighting in the
trenches southeast of Tahure.
At various points the Germans deliv-
cred strong counter attacks. but were
driven back.
French Gain Upper Hand.
Soldiers wounded at the capture Of
FAILURE, now arriving in Paris. all
are of the opinion that the French are
gaining the upper hand not only
through their artillery. but because of
the gallantry and dash of the infantry.
"At the rate things are going" said
a wounded sergeant major. at will be
a long time before the Germans are in
a position to think OF a counter Often
sive. Our heavy artillery sprays their
rear formations. paralyzing the bring
ing up of reinforcements and supplies
to such a degree that the last prison.
ers captured at Tahure had not eaten
in more than forty-eight hours and
had no cartridges in their pouches"
American Filters Aid.
Seven American volunteer aviators
took art in aerial "Reminiscences in
the battle of Champagne. They are
Lieut. William Thaw of Pittsburgh.
sergt. Elliot c. cowdin Of New York.
sergt. Norman Prince. Boston: D. C.
Mason. San Francisco: Bert Hall,
Bowling Green, KY: James J. Bache.
New York; II. G. Germ.
Five more American airmen are
scouting and raiding on other parts of
the French line and eleven are In train
ing in aviation school. These twenty
flying corps, which has just opened an
ONCE and club rooms on Rue de Pom
thieu, Paris.
Mentioned in Orders.
Three of the Americans-Lieut. Thaw
and Sergts. Prince and Cowdin-have
been cited In the orders Of tho day.
Sergt Cowdin was mentioned for hav-
ing engaged two German aeroplanes.
His French observer disabled one ma
chine by his fre and the other Ned.
The American corps has two OBJ
1ects-to assist France and to give
American airmen- experience in war. so
as to Mt them to serve as pilots Tor
officers in the American aerial service
should the occasion arise. The French
military administration Is giving the
American volunteers every opportunity
to gain this experience.
British Tell Of Losses.
BERLIN, October 8.-"Reports from
the western 'front.'" says the Overseas
News Agency, state that British SOL
diers who were taken prisoner were
tired looking. undisciplined and COM
planned of tho inefficiency of their Of
6cers. Many of them declared they
had been forced to enter the army be-
cause they were unemployed. while
others were told that they would lose
their Jobs If they did not enlist. They
said they had only been drilled in
marching before leaving Great Brit
ain, and that some OF them had nreo
their first shots after going into the
trenches. their drilling having been
conducted with wooden rifles.
"All of them declared that they knew
nothing Of the impending battle until
its beginning. Their losses had been
fearful. they said. the whole front OF
their army having been broken up by
the German machine guns.
THE only prisoners taken who made
a good Impression upon their captors
were the non-commissi0ned officers.