Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-07
WHOLE HUN BATTALION
FALL TO j. s. GUNNtRS
Not a German Left of the Troops
Who Came to Drive Ameri-
cans Out of Flsmes.

With the American Army on the
Asne- Marne Front, Aug. With their
backs To the Aisne, the Germans continued
preparations today for what may be either
n stiff resistance to give them more time
for further withdrawal or for "A definite
stand Minor actions along the Ameri-
can portion of the front and III the ad-
joining French sectors marked the day.
The little force of men who were sent
into Fismes still maintain their foothold,
although they are not yet across the river,
which flows through the extreme northern
part OF the town.
REMOVE WOUNDED UNDER BARRAGE.
Under a heavy barrage all their wound
cd have been taken out, and IN the course
of the night food was taken to them.
American ma chine glnners, protecting
a location on the Vesle, west of FIsmes,
wiped out an entire battalion of German
infantrymen and machine gunners today.
The Germans at the time were getting
into position to attack a group of Ameri-
can bridge builders who were approaching
the location.
Some bridge material had already been
moved near the south bank of the Nesle,
and the Germans, apparently discover
ing this fact, had sent battalion 10 hull
position TO prevent the Americans from
carrying out their plan. A detachment OF
crack american machine gunners. how
ever, had previously taken an elevated
position commanding the location, and
opened fire when the Germans appeared
NOT a GERMAN LEFT ALIVE.
Observers reported that they did not
see single German get away from the
leaden hail, and, according 10 the last
accounts, not even enemy stretch, r
be arers approached the scene The Ger
mans replied SO feebly with their fre,
because Of the surprise, that there were
no American casualties.
The Germans have been unremitting
in their efforts to dislodge the Americans,
| pounding the town with shells and delug-
| ing it with gas.
Numerous efforts have been made 10
retake the position, but in every instance
| the accuracy OF the American fire, both Of
the supporting artillery and the small
arms of the infantry within II, drove back
| the enemy
| To the eHst and west Of tlsmes the
| Americans have continued their recon
| naissance work, patrols crossing the rlvoI
at different places. The detachments,
| however never exceeded more than
! twenty men.
Near lname Of town deletedl few meu
| have remained, and another force Is on
| the hill over the river pear Flsmes
| Reports received from the French
sectors indicate virtually the same situa.
| tion from Soissons 10 Rheims
nUS PLANES BUSY.
Clearer weather resulted in more aeria
activity for a few hours, but the cloni.
| reappcared and the rain again began
| to fall, and the aircraft we're forced to
| suspend operations.
The Germans Immediately seized the
opportunity OF the few hours OF good
| weather TO send over planes for photo
! graphic purposes, and incidentally te
| shoot up the Allied transport These
! planes IN every ease were quickly forced
! back by anti-aircraft guns. Franco
| American planes also did some obserya-
ton work north OF The Vesle
| The engineers have mobllzed equip.
ment for their part of the advance, and
| reports from far back OF the line indicate
| that all elements Of the Allied forces will
| be Immediately available
AIsNE, nun oHJEc1IAE
| From the German side observers have
| reported wagon trains IN large numbers
| moving over some OF the roads toward
! the rear This is not construed as con-
elusive evidence that the Germans are
still rctreating; but this fact, and the
further fact that up to date the Germans
| have not used ut all extensively any but
| their small and medium caliber guns
! tends TO support the belief that the Crown
| Prince really intends to make the Aisne
| the objective of his line OF retreat
The present positions Of the Germans
are excellent for defense, however, and il
is regarded as not improbable that they
viii dig right in there
The few big guns which have been used
by the Germans are in positions far back
near the Aisne.
The clearing up Of the big field oI
retreat has nettcd in one-half of the
territory advanced over by tho Americans
alone fifteen trainloads of ammunition
and general supplies.