Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-15
HUN PATROL AMBUSHED
BY PARTY OF AMERICANS
Accuracy of Yankee Artillery Fire
Wins High Praise From
French Officers.

heavy recently and there is good reason
to believe that it has accounted for
considerable number of the enemy.
Americans Get Revenge.
American infantrymen exacted part
revenge for a trench raid during re-
cent night by ambushing a large German
patrol in no mans land. killing or
wounding a number Of the enemy.
The American patrol. in which there
were some Frenchmen, arranged the am
shell-rufned farm.
After lying in the mud nearly all night
the patience Of the watchers was re-
warded by the sight of large German
patrol its number more than double
that Of the Franco-Americans.
The Germans were permitted to pass.
when the Americans and French on their
flank opened q hot fire from shell
craters and other shelters where they
were secreted.
The Germans were taken completely
by surprise and bolted, carrying with
them their men who had been hit
Number Of Dead Unknown.
The number Of dead and wounded
Germans is uncertain, but none Of the
mon In ambush was hit hy tbs bullets
the Germans later sent in from distance.
There were congratuIatf6ns ALI round
when the Americana and French re-
entered their trenches.
Patrol work on both sides Is becom-
ing more active, as is also the artii-
lery fire. The Germans during one
twenty -four-hour period Of recent
many shells as on the first days dur
ing which the Americans were in
trenched. One night the firing IN the
back area against the approaches Of
the communication trenches reached
the proportions Of drum fire. 1t was
evident the Germans thought an Amer
ican trench relief was taking place.
Az a matter OF fact, no relief was In
progress and no material damage was
done.
During the last two nights the Ger
mans have continuously used machine
guns in the direction Of the American
line. Shipping is becoming more active
on both sides. American sharpshoot-
ers are working close to the German
lines, especially when the nights are
clear A Anon-commissioned officer was
hit in the head by snipers and killed.
French Praise Artillery Fire.
The accuracy of the American artil-
lerymen's fire has evoked enthusiastic
comments from the French superior
officers of the command in which are
the trenches occupied by the American
troops. The general in command told
American officers today that the marks
manship of the artillerymen was ex-
cellent, comparing most favorably with
that of troops which had been at war
for years.
The American officers were highly
elated by the compliment. The only
complaint heard Is that few of the
American batteries are not as rapid
as they might be. but they are improv-
ing daily.
The infantry is now interesting itself
especially in patrols. All the men who
, have not had this experience are eager
to try their hand, and some of them
| have asked to be assigned to this work.
| 1t is the unanimous opinion that the
men are learning more OF the science
| of war by their short stay in the
| trenches and gun pits than is possible
| to gain in months of other instruction.
| While the infantry is learning how to
| handle itself in the trenches, the artil-
f. lery, in addition to the actual firing. Is
acquiring most valuable experience in
| observation work and locating enemy
| batteries by the sound method. The
| heavy guns on both sides are now en-
/, gagged in a duel at long range, with
the lighter pieces working at targets
| nearer the lines.
Latest Casualties Not Reported.
! No casualty list of the American
troops under German shell fire had
reached the War Department today.
| A corrected casualty list OF the trench
| raid on November 2, however. was re-
require certification and checking before
| being made public.
| The first list gave three dead. three
/ wounded and twelve captured or MISS
! ing. The revised list does not change