The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-11-06
Surrender to Germans Only
When Overwhelmed by
Superior Forces.
HEAVY BARRAGE FIRE
OPENS WAY FOR HUNS
Only Few Days in Trenches
Fight Like Veterans When
Under Fire.

France, Nov. 5.-oy tine A8SoctaV.
ed press.--A small detachment OF
American infantrymen was at
tackled in front line trenches early
Saturday morning by a much supe
rior force Of German shock troops.
The Americans were cut off from
relief by the heavy barrage in
their rear. They fought gallantty
until overwhelmed, solely by mum
bers.
The fighting in tho trenches was
hand to hand II was brief and
fierce in the extreme.
THREE AMERICANS KILLED.
As result Of the encounter
three Americans were killed and
four wounded. A sergeant and
corporal and ten men were taken
prisoner.
Two French soldiers, who were
in the trenches, also were killed.
The enemy lost some men, but the
number is unknown, as their dead
and wounded were carried Oft by
the retiring Germans.
From the beginning Of the en-.
gagement until the end the Areri.
cans lived up to all the traditions
Of the American army, the records
showing the bravery Of the de.
tachment and Of individual mem.
bers.
IN TRENCHES BUT A FEW DAYS.
The German raid on the American
trench was carried out against mem
Of h1 nHn nt ri
the trenches for training, These men
had only been in IA few days Before
dawn Saturday the Germans began
shelline vigorously the barbcd wire II,
front Of the trenches, dropping many
high explosives of large calihre. \
heavy artillery fire was then directed
SO as To cover all the adjacent terri
tory, including the passage leading uI
to the trenches, thereby forming a
most effective barrage in the rear as
we'll as IN the front.
The Young lieutenant in charge at
the detachment of Americans started
back To the communicating trenches
to his Immediate superior for orders
The barrage knocked him down, hu,
he picked himself up and started oft
again. He was knocked down IL sec
ond time. but. determined to reach his
objective, got UP again. \ third tinlt
he was knocked down and badly shell
shocked. and was put out Of action.
Hand. to r and Fighting.
Soon after that, Germans 10 III,
number according to the report, al
30 rushed through the breaches anC
wire entanelements on each side of ths
salient. their general objective barrag g,
in the foreficld having lifted for 4
moment. The Germans went into III,
trenches ii several points. They me,
with stout resistance. Pistols, gren
AIDES, knives and hayonets were freei,
used
For many minutes there was consid
crahle confusion i'll the trenches, N,
Germans stalking the Americans an,
the Americans stalking the Germans
In one section of the trench an Amer,
lean private engaged two German,
with "A bayanet. That was the las
seen of him until after the raid. whc,
Il dead American was found on IN,
spot. Another was killed by a blow o,
tee head with IL rifle hutt from above,
Take Dead With Them.
Some of the Americans, a,,rarenti,
at the beginning of the attack did no
realize just what was going on. ON
II the wounded, asprivate. said
u was standing in , communica
ton trench awaiting. for orders.
heard noise box of me and locke
around In tlrie To see a German fir
In my direction, | felt "A bullet hit m
arm.,'
The Germans left the trench as 500
as possible taking their dead an
wounded with them.
An inspection showed, however, fna
they had abandoned three rifles.
number of knives and helmets.
Surprised to See Americans.
The raid was evidently careful
planned and American officers admi
that ii was we'll executed AS Il rai(
however, there was nothing unusua
all along tn" line. There is reason ia
believing that the Germans wer
greatly surprised when they fcun
Americans in the trenches instead {
the French.
The French general in command {
the division of which the American de
tachment formed a part. expressed ey
trelne satisfaction at the action I
the Americans for they fought brave |