The Mountainair independent., 1918-07-18

they had been long trained for this
crossing and their conduct showed it.
This crossing recalls that six days ago
our scouts discovered materials for
pontoon bridge on the north side CT
the river and later our shell fire de-
stroyed it.
American Forces Fall Back
AS the Germans got across the
bridge with large number of machine
guns, they got into action. Before
superior numbers, the Americans fell
back to the base of the salient made
by the river Half an hour ago the
line ran through the base of the sal
lent to point just north of Crezaucy,
where our men are evidently holding.
If they can hold that line against
the Germans, pressing across the
river, and, what is worse, against the
terrific shell fire, the Germans in the
salient will be in an unhappy posi-
ton, because if we can shell their
bridge away they can be forced back
1t is difficult at this moment to get
accurate reports from all our forces.
However, we have enough information
to show that while the Germans were
crossing at Jaulgonne the German
high command was directing attacks
all along the east to Rheims and east
of that city. While there is fighting
west of Thierry, the char
actor shows that the German drive
is not now directed that way.
Terrific Night BOmbardment.
The shelling, which started gener
ally at midnight, fell with great
violence on our sector northwest of
Chateau -Thierry Thousands of high
explosives and gas shells fell in the
Bois de Belleau, the Boise de la Roche
and in Vaux. This shelling was con-
centrated on Vaux from 4 to 6 o'clock
after which the Germans launched an
attack with two battalions against
that town. The Americans withdrew
from their front trenches north of the
railroad tracks in front of the town,
waited until the attackers were very
close, and then opened with direct and
fanking rife fire.
The attacking force was completely
demoralized and retired in disorder.
We Immediately counter attacked and
advanced our lines 75O yards. We
took 27 prisoners. No further attacks
have been made on Vaux. ] nave
Just received a semi-official report
that following the Vaux attack the
Americans advanced on the ives, side
of Hill 204 so far that the GeImans
expected an attack and evacuated the
hill they have paid so much to hold
the past three weeks.
American Guns in Action
This is not yet positively confirmed,
but ! do know that at this mment
our guns are pouring high explosives
over on the German lines of comnuni-
cation to the north of the hill.
So far the Germans have madt no
attempt to advance directly through
Chateau-Thierry. Four bridges of hat
city have been blown up. The object,
no doubt, in using big guns in nell
ing towns far in the rear is to manly
terrify women and children. 1t has
been supposed that what the Geman
high command aimee at thereb! was
the forcing of the allied armss to
fall back on a straight line from
Chateau -Thierry, through Chains to
st. Mihiel, and compelling the y.lding
of Verdun.
This was an enormous project.
Should the allied strength rove too
much the German command ray con-
centrate its driving power 1st east
or Chateau-Thierry in an attnpt to
widen the front before Pari now
extending from MontGidier Cha
eau -Thierry 1t is too soon state
definitely what the plan is.
Germans in DisOrdered Retnt Be-
fore Americans; 1900 CaIured,
With the American Armyon the
Marne, July ia strong herican
counter attack south of the risr bend
completely upset the GermaS, Who
broke in retreat. The America. troops
drove the enemy back all theway to