The sun., 1918-04-16
is, TR00PSKILL
81 AND CAPTURE
II IN HOT FIGHT
Americans Outnumbered 2
to 1 in Encounter North
of st. Mihiel.
OUR CASUALTIES SMALL
One Pennsylvanian Takes
Three Prisoners, Kills Ono
Other and Wounds More.
OUR CASUALTIES SMALL


WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, April l5.-The German attack
against the American positions on the
right bank Of the Meuse. north Of st.
Mhiel. yesterday was made by force
Of 400 picked troops who were recently
brought there from the Russian front
Although the Americans were outnum-
bered moro than Two to one they COM
pletely repulsed the enemy. driving him
back to his own trenches. Tho known
enemy casualties include sixty-four
dead. many wounded and eleven prison.
ers. besides . number Of wounded who
were dragged back to the German lines
BY their comrades
The Germans attempted to deceive
the Americans by appearing in front
Of the trenches and speaking French
and English and also by yelling Gas" |"
The deception. however. was soon dis
covered and cost the enemy dearly. The
slight
Bravery OF Psnasylvanian.
Numerous stories OF individual bravery
poured into the headquarters to-day. A
young man Of Italian parentage. born
In a Pennsylvania coal mining town.
killed one German and captured three.
He saw eight Germans walking in q
communication trench ahead OF him
and, although alone. he shot and killed
cBs and ran afteP tijo-ethefs. capturing
tvo and wounding some Of those who
escaped. He then returned to the
American line and turned over the pris-
oners to a non on-commiss!oned officer and
cooliy asked for a match.
The officer Jokingly said: "l'll give
you a match II you bring In another
prisoner" The soldier. who Is only Ave
feet four inches tail. took him at his
word and went back over the parapet.
He returned In less than five minutes
walking with fixed bayonet behind a
six foot German. who was yelling
"kamarad! Kamarad!"
A few minutes later II was reported
that ten Germans were lying In q ma
chine gun nest in No Mans Land. The
Pennsylvanian started for the spot alone.
but he was ordered back by the com.
nander Of the unit. who later sent .
detachment Of men to rout out tho
enemy. which they did.
Gas Ruse Quickly Detected.
The enemy made the attack In four
groups. As soon as they reached the
American wire entanglements they be-
Americans began to put on their gas
masks. whereupon the Germans opened
fire, but the ruse was discovered before
the enemy could do any damage.
The Americans went at the Germans
with hand grenades, rtfles and automatic
pistols. A small party of Germans who
attempted the same trick at another
point were outwitted by an American.
who shouted "Fellows. there's too much
Wind for gas. They're Germans Give
en- hell"
"And We did," added a Massachusetts
lad who took part In the attack.
Another group Of the enemy tried to
impersonate allied troops.
They didn't have the password" said
one American private. 80 We decided
10 FIRE hrst and ask questions afterward.
but when we got through with them
there was none ready to talk"
One sergeant and two prvates cut of
IN corner Of trench held out for
more than two hours against q much
superior force and finally reached the
American lines in safety. Two other
Americans who had been made pris-
oners and were being led away were
rescued by comrades. who scattered tho
enemy. One "doughboy" taken by the
Germans was pulled for sixteen yards
over the berbed wire and then eluded
the enemy by jumping into conimuni-
ot!ng trench during q barrage.
Prisoners Mostly Boys.
The prisoners captured by the Amer'-
cans were mostly young men under 20
Years Of age. They carried two days
rst!ons and entrenching tools and said
they expected to occupy the American
front line positions.
The prisoners said the attack was
made by picked men OF four companies.
two from the 272d Regiment Regular
Reserves, one Of shock troops and one
ot pioneers Some wore belts with large
buckle bearing the inscription "Gott nit
uns' Several carried long trench
knives.
large percentage Of the American
Troops participating in this engagement
we're sons Of foreign horn parents, some
ot them being only II or IS years old.
They are, however. hardened to trench
warfare and absolutely fearless. There
70 nothing they like better than =
chance to go over tho top" The officers
nave diflculty in restraining them when
ever they ask for patrol or raiding
party. Every man wants to 20. and
tney are convinced that each Of them
H better than two Germans.