The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-06-27
Local Data
Pershing's, Communique
(continued From Page One

of the preceding IS hours. Woods. farms and villages were again shelled, with the Slght use of gas from time to time and occasional concentrations. The distribu- tlon over the sector was again fairly even. Far more marked, however, than the activity of the German artillery fire was that of the German airplanes which, in number of flights made what IS almost record for activity over one of our small sectors in a period of 24 hours. During the late evening one of these airplanes dropped three bombs, which produced craters of moderate size "In addition to the movement of small groups in the German rear areas a col umn of troops (estimated at about d battalion and accompanied by combat wagons) was seen in motion during the early evening. At another time two col
 umns of troops, battery, number of caissons and several wagons and automo- piles were seen moving along the roads. At another spot small group was very busy over fallen airp1ane. The enemy is still busiy improving his wires. The German machine guns were somewhat
 more active than on preceding days, paying great attention to our patrols,
 both by direct and cross fire. As usual, l they were also directed against Bouresches and Belleau woods. They did not, however, prevent our troops from sending out numerous patrols. Besides l the customary activity of our batteries, we made considerable use of mortars Farm buildings in the German rear area were seen to burst into flames
 SOUTH OF MARINE
 ] "On June 22 to 23 our troops, south of l the Marne, experienced the same desul- ! tory shelling by the enemy as during
 the preceding days The hostile fire fell especlaily in Crezancy, Fossey, Blesmes ] farm and Nestles On the whole, how
 ever, the enemy artillery activity was slight and confined largely to the use of shells of small calibre. Many German l arplanes flew over our front lines, east
 and west along the Marne. They were l principally in groups of from two to t | planes. One of them dropped objects
 which were burning, which whistled as
 they fell and made considerable noise
 when striking the ground.
 | A number of enemy were seen during
 the day, a few coming down to the
 river to wash in the morning and others 1 passing in and out of the town o1 l Charteves Others could be seen car rying ratons or going to and from work l ing parties. The working parties Wer.
 evidently digging and probably construct 1 ing new emplacements During the night the German patrols opposite Mezy l [ posts.
 WOEVRE REGION
 l 'sIn the Woevre region on June 2l to June 23, the enemys activity showed
 some diminuition. Front line positions
 at Seicheprey, Bois De Jurk, Bois De
 Remieres and other points as well as l Beaumont and other positions in tht rear areas were shelled. Our roads also suffered some bomb ardment. The shells came mostly from Bois De Mortmare ! and Bois De Lasonnard, but the nre
 mostly of the harassing sort, was lit 1 tie above the normal The same was
 true of the machine gun fire, which
 came mainly from the little villages
 of Lahayville and St. Baussant across
 the line from Seicheprey. German air
 planes were little in evidence.
 i Movement of trucks and wagons ir
 the rear of the German lines was nor
 mal Working parties were observed
 to be constructing new camouhages
 Our own troops were not especially ac-
 tive. Az
 A.On June 22, our troops who are | fighting in the Muhlhausen area re- ported quiet day. The enemy's bat i teries fred a small number of rounds | from the Muhlwald and other posi- 1 tions in the rear. His machine guns were occasionally active and at least 1 one of his patrols was driven oH by our fire. Only in his rear areas was
 there anything of note. This consisted of increased movements of men. forces
 wagons, trucks and trains"