The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1918-02-14
SIX AMERICANS
KILLED BY HUNS
SUPERIOR FORCE TAKE U. s. PA
TROL IN AMBUSH.
OCCURRED IN ISOLATED PLACE
6oches Cry "Kamerad" and Then At
tack Pershine's Men With Gren-
AIDES and RifIes-Men Put
Up a Hard Fight.

With the American Army in France
Feb. 11.-One American artilleryman
was killed and five artillerymen were
wounded Saturday night by shell fire.
The Americans sprinkled the enemy
trenches with shrapnel all during to-
day. There was considerable patrol
activity, but no further clashes were
reported.
The early reports Of the encounter
between the Americans and Germans
Friday night in front of the American
wire entanglements have been con
lrmed. The enemy patrol cried
"kamerad" as they opened fire and
continued to fight.
YeIIs From Enemy.
Yells from the enemy as the
American barrage fell, verified the
accuracy of the aim of the Ameri-
cans
Ono of the American patrols con
sisting of IA men went out to inspect
the wire. The men were moving
cautiously along when the leader
heard suspicious noises ahead. The
formation of the patrol was changed
when suddenly, according to the sur.
vivors, the men found themselves
almost surrounded by large numbers
of the enemy.
A. German cried "kamerad" and
then hurled a hand grenade. The
American infantrymen opened fire
ed their grenades. The Germans
followed suit and also brought into
action their automatics.
Fight Was Short.
The fight lasted only about min
ute and a half, the Germans all the
while yelling "kamerad." They
= then retreated, taking with them four
Americans and leaving behind four
dead and two wounded Americans.
One of the unwounded men crawled
to where comrade lay groaning and
gave him water, while the other
wounded soldier dragged himself
through the wire. H. ,..s
Quickly hail of machine gun and
rifle bullets was directed against the
retreating Germans. Meanwhile,
the wounded man, who was a ser
geant, died in the arms of private,
who was endeavoring to give him aid,
The men in the trenches and the
survivors had CLEAN of satisfaction
when the shells from the American
heavy guns and 75s began hitting in
barrage Cries and yells in Ger
man were mingled with the cXplos.
ions, then the barrage widened and
there were further cries, proving that
the enemy had scattered.
Rescue Party Arrives.
Another patrol quickly went over
the top out into No Mans land and
found their five dead comrades and
one uninjured survivor of the first
patrol, who had remained beside the
bodies and was ready to give battle
if the enemy returned.
The greatest courage was exhibited
by the entire patrol, every man of
which fought hard until killed or the
enemy had withdrawn.
The spot where the encounter oc-
Cured is an isolated one.
Our artillery Immediately laid a
barrage around the ambushing Ger,
mans and some are believed to
have been accounted for.
Our patrolling soldiers were walk
ing in front of our wire entangle-
ments when a big enemy patrol that
had been divided into parties which
took up concealed positions opened
fire at close range. The night was
clear and the forms of thesAmericans
made the best possible targets for the
sidden Germans.
Scores of airplanes were out today
observing and making photographs
The men in the line were thrilled by
q number of air duels high in the
sky over their heads.