The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-08-01
DOUCHBOYS BEAT
BACK BOCHES
Battalion Of Americans Made
Up of Former Lumber Jacks
Show Fighting Qualities.
ABANDON MACHINE GUNS
Germans Driven From Men
Mere Wood-Emplacements
of Big Berthas Found.

With the American Army at Tho
Marne. Aug. 1.-(S:30 am.)-The Ger
mans have been driven from Meuniert
wood (southeast of Fere-en- Tar
denois) at the point of the bayonet.
American elements that advanced
through the southern edge of the wood
found where German field guns and
machine guns had been abandoned.
The Americans defeated fresh di-
vision that had been flung into the
fighting by Gen. Won Scholler. II
reached Cierges yesterday morning.
Emplacements for two long range
guns have been found between Armen-
there's and Nanteuil Notre Dame. on
the Aisne- Marne front.
These were not nine-inch "Berthas,'
such as bombarded Paris, but fifteen
inch naval type guns. which were used
for shelling the Meaux region on
July Is.
1t was the same kind of weapon that
the Germans used to lombard Dun
kirk. Epernay and Furness in July
1915, except that special mounting was
used here which gave n higher angle
for the fire. and consequently a longer
range.
The Breezy -Armentieres guns had
been removed by the Germans before
the allies came up, but the bases re-
manned.
The emplacements were sixty feet
square and fifty feet deep. They were
constructed of steel and concrete. and
the gun carriages were mounted in
turrets that could be turned around.
Prussian troops counter attacked the
Americans five times. but wer, beaten
Off by battalion of husky doughboys
,l<N, l. l. H.. l..
war.
Before defeating the German coun
ter assaults, the Americans had
cleaned up the German machine guns
in the Hamlet.
The Americans debouched in con-
centrative movement from Ciergos and
Roncheres. driving off the enemy.
The battle of the Marnc has entered
new phase, in which the Germans
may be expected henceforth to contest
bitterly every effort of the allies to
advance towards the Fismes line.
Consequently the American public
must not expect the same rapid prog
ress in the next fortnight which
marked the last two weeks of fighting.
This impression was gained this aft
ernoon in talk with Gen. Degoutte.
brilliant commander of the sixth
French army covering the sector north
Of the Marnc. where the Germans were
thrown back across the Ourcq.
A largo number of Americans were
engaged in the Marine salient battle
under Gen. Degoutte's command. The
generals headquarters are in an old
chateau from which he has been direct
ing operations. The furnishings of the
generals room Is simple, including one
large relief map in colors showing the
sector In which French and Americans
under his command areoperating.
The general seated himself In
wooden chair and with ruler showed
on the relief map how the Germans
had been squeezed in and forced to
retreat from the pocket
Then he pointed out the terrain to-
wards which we are now advancing
north of the Ourcq, explaining how the
wooded heights gave the Germans
line. of defense by the aid
of their machine guns. The boche is
not likely to retire from these posi-
tions without severe struggle, the
general Indicated.
Gen. Degoutte further pointed out
that the savage German counter at
tacks against Scringes and Sergy was
evidence that the enemy is now pre-
parlrg to make a stand.
one or the correspondents present
neked II the allies would continue to
advance to the Fismes line.
The general smiled as he replied that
this depended on what the Germans
Further he did not care to
Another French officer remarked aft
erwards
Gen. Deeoutte is not the kind who
skins n bear before he kills IL /"
Gen. Degoutte said It was an unex-
Dected pleasure to find number of
American officers whom he had CO.
operated In China now working with
lim in this fight. He considered 1t n
great honor to command the first large |
orce of Americans in their first big !
,nga cement on European soil