Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-05
LIeet German Shock Troops
In Hand to Hand Encoun.
ter, Winning Quick Vic
tory; Heavy Casualties on
Both Sides. sGf;
VALOROUS CAPTAIN
LEADS DEATH CHARGE
'""SrCy Associated Press Staff

northwest OF TOul and along the
Chemin des Dames-the Germans
fail in attempts to penetrate the
positions held by the Americans.
American troops repulsed strong
German attack this morning in the
salient north of Toul. There were
many American casualties, oneiof the
killed being captain who was gradu-
ated from West Point in 1917
The raid was a complete failure,
three German prisoners remaining
in American hands.
GROUND STREWN WITH DEAD
The ground in front of the Ameri-
can trenches was strewn with German
dead.
A driving vet snow was falling this
morning when the Germans opened
fire on the American salient with
every weapon at their command. Sew
entysevans, heavy shells and gas
shells fell IN perfect whirlwind on
the American trenches for half an
hour.
At the same time other enemy shells
IN great numbers we're dropping on
tho American battery positions.
GAS FAILS GERMANS
The Germans, evidently thinking
that the Americans in this section,
having had one taste of gas few
days ago, would fear it now, let loose
great quantities of poisonous gas, but
the men put on their masks and only
a few were affected by it. So intense
was the fire that the woods back Of
the salient were shot to pieces.
At o'clock the barrage fire lifted
on the trenches to the right Of the
salient and Germans numbering 24O
came sweeping forward under the pro-
lection of their fire.
FIGHT HAND TO HAND
They came forward apparently in
tending to make big haul and jumped
but there, instead of the easy time
anticipated, found the Americans all
ready for battle Fierce hand-to-hand
fighting began.
One American captain rallied men
went through the American wire en-
tanglements into No Mans Land and
there waited for the enemy, whom he
expected to be driven out by his COM
rades in the trenches.
He was right. for soon groups Of
the enemy started back through the
wire entanglements. The Americans
poured in deadly fire, but unfortun
ately the captain was killed during the
fight. He is the first member of the
1917 class at West Point to be killed.
While the Americans were in front
Of the wire entanglements and in
shell holes, still fighting desperately,
the American barrage fire began
sweeping No Mans Land, catching
many running Prussians who had
enough of American methods. Tie
barrage swept back and forth, max
ing sure of doing all possible damage
30 the foe.
When the enemy had been driven
back out Of the positions the bodies
of ten German soldiers were found in
the American trenches. Two German
officers were entangied in the wire
and many bodies were in sight. Eight
we're visible through the snow storm
at one point The ground was Uttered
with enemy hand &renades, boxes OF
explosives for destroying dugouts and
incendiary bombs. which they had no
opportunity to use.
MANY ENEMY PRISONERS
They managed, however, to drop in
cendiary bombs in two dugouts, which
were destroyed by fire, but no Ameri-
cans were in them.
II the Germans captured any prison ,
ers, which is doubtful, there were not
more than two or three, possibly from :
a listening point OF the missing
many probably were buried. Diggin.
for them now is proceeding and others
may be accounted for.
Two German prisoners were wound
ed and the other taken was unhurt,
except for welt on one of his hands
where he was struck by a young
American soldier when he showed
fight after capture.
CAPTIvEs TALK GLlBLY
From the prisoners the American
officers have secured much valuable
information. One said:
81 did not have a chance to do any
thing before an American jumped on
to me and grabbed me by the throat
The Germans had been preparing
for the raid for three weeks and be-
Jonged to the 18th reserve division of
Eanover
The prisoners had Russian coins in
their possession and came into the
trenches opposite just before, the
Americans took over this sector.
The Americans lost many killed and
wounded, including officers. The
Americans displayed the greatest per.
soma! courage. bravery and energy
throughout the engagement and out
fought the surprised enemy from the
instant contact was established.
During the bombardment a town be-
hind the American line was heavily
shelled. and there were some casual
ties.
GERMANS CLAIM ADVANTAGE
Berlin, March I'm a German at