Omaha daily bee., 1918-05-27
ARTILLERY
DUEL WON
BYFRENCH.
Americans Carry Out Success
full Raid and italians, Push
Back Austrians; Hinden.
burg Drive Delayed.
tBy Associated Press.)

Paris, May 26.-An artillery duel Of
considerable intensity took place last
night along the French front SOUTH
east of Amiens, in the region Of Han
gard wood and below the Avre, the
war Office announced today. The Ger
mans attempted raid on French
posts in the Orvillers-Sorel sector
between Montdidier, and Lassigny, but
failed Of their purpose, as they did in
similar attempts in the Champagne
and III the Vosges region. Prisoners
were taken by the French during pa
trolls in various sectors
Still another week has passed and
the Germans have not begun their ex-
pected new offensive against the al-
lied forces in Flanders and Picardy.
And, as yet, there is nowhere any ip-
dication that it is the early intention.
1t is not improbable, however, that
the blow will Be launched at any
moment. Aviators in reconnaisances
behind the German lines still report
a continuation of bringing up fresh
troops, guns and stores for what il
/; believed everywhere wN be their
greatest attempt to win decisive vic.
tory.
Meanwhile the allies are not idle.
Every hour is being utilized to
strengthen strategic positions and
every hour finds them the better pre-
pared to withstand an enemy on
slaught.
In the work Of strengthening the
battlefront, the Americans are playing
no secondary role. The steady stream
Of khaki-clad lads from overseas to
the line has served greatly to reassure
the British and French contingcnts
that have heretofore SO valiantly held
their own against tremendous odds.
Those of the Americans already in the
trenches have given and are still
giving good accounting of then-
selves, harassing the Germans with
their artillery and outgaming them in
combats in the open.
Aware Of American Strength.
Even the Germans at home, pre-.
viously adopting the tactics of sneer-
ing at the Americans, now are becom.
ing aware Of their strength and viril-
ity. No less an authority that the
semi-official North German Gazette
is remarking on the maturing" AM
erican reinforcements behind the al
lied line and wondering "how the
lightning trained yankee will hold his
own against the German lads who
have had military training from their
youth"
Nowhere along the battlefront has
there been fighting of any great mo-
nent. Several new raids have been
carried out successfully against Ger-|
man positions by the Americans, Brit
ish and French forces and some
similar attempts by the Germans
promptly put down. Heavy artillery
duels have been in progress on vari-
Gus sectors between the Germans and
the British and French.
Americans in Silent Raid.
The Americans in the Montdidief
sector have carried out another suc-
cessful raid, leaving their trenches
without artillery support and over
whelming an enemy trench. Six Ger
mans were killed and one soldier
was made prisoner by the Americans,
who returned to their own lines. The
British near Bucq quoy in a similar adj
venture captured IA Germans and two
machine guns and in two other raids.
took IS prisoners and machine gun.
In the Ailette river region the French
also brought in captives.
There are still considerable activi-
ties oyer and behind the battle line,
and numerous fights in the air oc-
cur daily. ~.
In the. Italian theater the Austrians
have essayed several rather strong at
tacks against the Italians in the
mountain region of the north, but
everywhere have met with repulse.
Along the Piave river and I'm the
Tonale region there have been in-
tensiye artillery due1s.