The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-08-08
FISHES TAKEN BY
AMERICAN TROOPS
ENEMY STRONGHOLD FALLS AFT.
Err A BITTER FIGHT.
ALL READY FOR VESLE BATTLE
British and French Now
Concentrating for Great Struggle.
Germans Also Preparing. Al
though Apparently Temporarily

With the American Army on the
Aisne-Marne Front, Aug. 5.-The town
of Fishes was taken late Sunday art
ernoon by the American troops, sup
ported by the French.
The French are across the Vesle at
several points to the eastward anu
the line has been extended northwest
of the Rheims to La Neuvillette. inc
Germans are resisting sharply from
Muizon to Champigny.
Fismes was taken after heavy
artillery fight that began in the mid
die of the afternoon. A few Americans
entered the town Saturday afternoon
and remained there all night They
we're driven out early Sunday.
The Germans threw gas shells and
sharpnel into the southern part OF
the town making it inadvisable for
the little party to remain longer.
Their reconnaissance has been com
pleted and they were ordered to fall
back.
The Germans had been dropping
shells about the town intermittentiy
since daylight. When the Americans
decided to advance it was after careful
preparation and under sweeping bar
rage of sharpnel and gas, the infantry
advanced. There was opposition from
machine guns, but the Americans
quickly silenced them.
Allies Get Ready.
From Rheims to scissors and far
back toward the Marine, the Ameri'
cans, French and British were being
concentrated today for the battle OF
the Vesle. All the indications were that
the great chase of the Germans which
began on July IS, is nearing an end,
Beyond the Vesle the enemy has
planted his artillery, and at different
points has challenged the allies to
pursue him. Along the southern bank
General Fochs armies have slowed
down to give an opportunity to those
outdistanced to catch up.
There was almost no serious OF.
fensive until late in the day. Ger
man guns were active early in the
day in front of Fismes and in other
locations, and the character of the
fire indicated the emplacement of a
great number of guns 1t is yet regard.
ed probable that it is nothing more
than a plan to offer a stiff resistance
in order to gain more time for a with.
drawal to the Aisne. 81
No Resistance Expected.
Near Fismes there are a few Ger
man machine gunners but no serious
resistance is expected The American
and French guns are in position and
great quantity of shells is being hurl
ed on the tableland which the Ger
mans are holding.
The cost and gain of the big drive
are being estimated. There is no
no doubt that the Germans lost
large number of men, while the losses
of the allies are considered negligible,
especially in prisoners Aside from the
strategic gains made by the allied
armies, the morale of the men has
been wonderfully reinvigorated.
At one depot near Fere-en-Tardenois
is is estimated that more than $4,000.
600 worth of ammunition and general
stores fell in to the hands of the allies
while the volume of supplies destroy
ed at this same depot is believed to
amount to several times that value.
On hill near one of the American
positions stand two German tanks
only slightly out of order. Reports are
coming in of the discovery of tanks,
automobiles, clothing and food.