The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-07-16
HEAVY L0SSESBY
GERMANS Brings
LULL IN fighting
tcontinusd fron -. 20

NCOnLlu414 AAOA1 = - ~N~-f
AZ 10 o'clock and resisted all efforts
Of the boches 70 disIodge them
Coolly, despite the harassing nra
the ofIlcers began preparing Tor >
eofnter attack. shortly after noon
a BEGAN slowly and methodicaily.
A. though executing some training
maneuver, the Americans pressed for
ward. Their advance was irresistible.
Thav drove the Germans back more
fhan two kfIometers q mile and .
ouarterl before there was any slacken-
ing Of the attack. When Il did halt
Il was voluntary.
The counter attack was resumed after
a brief pause. This time the Ameri-
can assault was conducted with an
almost unbelievable ferocity. The
Boches were caught up IN The cyelonic
rush. and great numbers OF then
were hurled bodily into the river
o. 8 Gun wsEk Perfect
co-operation OF the American aFtit
lervmen and machine gunners was
perfect The gunners, firing from Tar
In the rear, dropped shells on the en-
eny's pontoons with the greatest aes
euracy. When the Boches reached the
river bank they were compelled %
nIunra IN. and many OF them were
drowned.< Others were caught in the
rain OF shells and machine gun bull
Ieta and the stream was soon thicklF
dotted with shattered bodies
In some places the Germans clung
Ho-~eIiv to the south bank. Amerl-
80, of6cers sent back word late last
nI-ht. however, that they expected 70
drivs these Boches back across be-
FORE morning. II IL reported that this
was accomplished. bot this hastnot
been confirmed.
The battle was one OF the most ~
marl<able OF the war, For ten hours
ire infenss Smelling by guns OF an
caifbers continued. Everything within
fortv kiiometers (twenty-hve milesl
81 the front. was shelled. while ne
front lines and organizations tmmedi-
atelx In the rear were subjected %
the nercest deIuge Of gas shells and
high explosives
when the Germans attacked .
creeping barrage. fve kilometers
funore than three milesl deep. swept
over the American and French Inca
Behind this curtain OF IRE the BoeAas
crossed the river.
In addition to throwing over poa-
toons. canvas boats and rats. each
holding score Of men. we're sent eat
from the concealment Of the wooded
banks, the occupants polling them
across. The Boches looked Ike
gnomes while crossing the river, -
ing forced to wear gas masks. owing
to the violencet OF thsir own gassing-
Numerous STORIES are told Of In
dfviduaI bravery OF the Americana
One artillery outdt maintained such
q constant rapid are that Il ran short
OF ammunition Volunteers were
called for to go three miles ever =
road. every inch Of which was SWEPT
By she1lhre Every man volunteered
The necessary number vas picked
They drove their horses, dragging tn
humping eaissons, II gallop through
shell burstsI Several horses were
killed Returning. more horses Wurs
Mea DRAG wRgoAA
The number Of horses vas % ~
duced that the men were forced -
substitute themselves They would
leap OF, cut loose the E1angled bodies
Of the faithful animals. then grasp tho
traces and run along beside the ~
naming horses. When ~this strange
cavalcade-half man and half AMI
mal-arrived at the battery the moa
serving the guns paused long enough
In their deadly work to cheer their
heroic comrades.
Sergt- Fred Brown and Oscar WI
cox returned to the American lines
late yesterday afternoon with eight
prisoners They had been captured
themselves and disarmed. But. watch
ing for an opportunity. they over
powered their guards and escaped
picking up a squad OF Boches on tn
wav hack