The sun., 1918-07-03


all points In the fighting at vaux the
Americans took the Germans completely
by surprise. and most OF the German
prisoners were seized In dugouts and
cellars.
There was hot fighting to-day in front
of Hill 204, which Is in the hands OF the
Germans. At o'clock this evening the
american artillery was engaged In heav-
lily Smelling the position.
Many groups OF prisoners have been
sent to the rear Others have been To-
Gated in hospitals. where they were
taken after being wounded. The num-
Der Of guns and the amount OF material
captured have not been counted
How many Germans were killed OF
course IL unknown, but from the num-
Der of dead In plain view at various
places the total must have been con-
siderable.
II was exactly 6 o'clock last evening
when the Americans went over the top
under the protection of n hail OF ma
chine gun bullets from our machine gun
barrages. The infantry action was pre-
ceded by a short but terrific artillery
preparation. When the Germans saw
that a formidable attack was developing
many OF those in outposts yelled and ran
toward the rear to rests from which a
hot IRE began pouring.
The Americans paused for a moment
while the automatic rifles and machine
guns with the advancing troops fought
. duel In front Of Vaux briefly but eff
fectively with the enemy.
Then the Americans. whose number
was considerable. went on, most Of them
running in their eagerness to get at close
quarters with the Germans. At the same
time the Boche began hurting gas shells
Int he NJ ba
sweep Beyond vaux.
Within a brief time the Americans had
wrested from the enemy the Bots de la
Roche and the woods adjoining II. Then
came word that the Americans were in
Xaux. and. finally. after sharp fighting
there in the streets and houses. the
Americans overcame all resistance and
swept on beyond the village.
The Americans reached every one OF
their detectives. and by this operation
they have eliminated salient and have
Strengthened out their line. Over an
area of several miles the Americans now
have the enemy under their guns.
Daylight this morning saw the Arer-
leans digging in almost undsturbed far
beyond the old German defence line.
The fighting qualities OF the Ameri-
cans were certified to by virtually all
the prisoners taken. They said the
Americans fought like wild men. sweep
ing everything before them as they
plunged over the ground.
So fierce was the attack that many
Germans who were in the zone assaulted
made their escape by running when the
fight got too hot for them and they saw
It was impossible either to slow down or
halt the American plunge.
Ready for Counter Attack.
The attack by the Americans on the
vaux positions was so terrific that the
Americans swept right through the en-
envy lines. and had their object been to
continue the advance they could have
done SO with the greatest ease, as viz
tually everything before them had been
cleared. So great was the enthusiasm
of the men the officers in some cases
had to look sharp to keep them from
going beyond the set detectives.
II Is not improbabl that the Ger
mans are planning another counter at
tack for the coming dark hours, but
preparations have been made to meet
them.
, A vast quantity of material. consider
ing the size Of the operation. is being
taken to the rear. but probably will not
be tabulated for several days
In the fighting west of Naux our
troops stormed several enemy nests and
killed or captured the occupants. then
turned the guns the other way. using
them effectively against the enemy rear
areas.
The Americans penetrated the en-
emy's lines to a depth OF about kilo-
meter and half on total front OF
about four kilometers.
10 10 ~ ~. he fpn, ~
line have been subjected to a heavy
shell fire. They had some shelter in
one patch OF woods which they occupied
but those who did not enter the wood
have only the protection which they had
provided for themselves with their en-
trenching tools or by taking cover In
shell holes. From one crater slightly in
advance of the line but on II, from a
technical point OF view. American SOL
diers this afternoon let their comrades
know where they were when one OF the
party leaned over the lip OF the crater
and waved his helmet.
Reenforcements Too Late.
The prisoners taken in the German
counter attack say that they marched
for three hours as fast as they could
when word reached the commander OF
an enemy battalion in the rear Of Naub
which town is on the right OF the Ameri-
can attack Observers reported this
morning that the Germans were APP
parently hurrying to bring up reinforce
ments behind their line.
All the prisoners questioned to-day
express their relief at being captured
One speaking excellent English said to
the correspondent:
thank the Lord I'm out OF there.
The American artillery smothered us
more than once and the infantryme,
fight like wild devils without a singh
fear, but when the fight Is finished they
are gentlemen one could have killed
me, but did not, and I gave him my
iron cross for my thanks"