The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-13
Germans Deliver Counter At
tacks on the Vesle
Experts Still Believe They VIII
Retire Across the Aisne.
BRINGING UP FRESH TROOPS
Allied Forces Take Time to
Prepare for Attacks.
German Positions Under Fire
of Heavy Guns.
(Ry tke Assoclated Press,

With the American Army on the
Vesle, Monday. Aug. 1.-THE Ger
mans directed counter actions against
the Franco-American line between
scissors and Rheims today, but with
out bringing about any change in the
situation. Nor did the enemy reveal
any intention of an immediate attempt
to recover any portion of the territory
lost north of the Marine. AT no point
was hard blow delivered. The guns
on either side. however, were seldom
silent and at many places, especially in
the neighbour d Of Fisrnette, north
of Fismes, where the opposing lines
are close, the Germans repeatedly
searched the American positions with
machine gun fire. 1t Is quite possible
that the German crown prince may
decide upon a counter attack on q big
scale in that sector, but sucn action
would necessitate the bringing up or
divisions which pr sumably are badly
needed on the British front and at
otl points. It seems probable he
realizes that any attempt to wrest ter
ritory here from tire troops that have
just taken it would be extremely high
priced.
on the other has d the Germans are
now in such positions along the line
south of the Aisne that they can af-
ford to take more time for retreat
over that river, confident that the al
lies will not extend themselves too
much in an effort here at this time.
The Germans are fighting hard for
time but observers continue to report
indications that their plans still in
clude a retirement. The French and
the Americans, however. have not
ceased to exert pressure.
They are taking full advantage OF
the opportunity to bring up supplies
and requirements. The Americans who
will continue the advance or will meet
the German If he chooses to attack,
will thus be fresh.
For the moment, however, the lines
here are nearly established and it may
be some days before there is activity
aside from the artillery duel now in
progress, supplemented by a series of
patrol encounters. The German heavy
guns are reaching distant areas OF the
allies, but the French and American
batteries of heavies have every curve
their range. The roads in every part
of the restricted area between the
Vesle and the Aisne are likewise SUBJ
ject to artillery fire.
Still Harass Germans.
With the American Armies in
France. August IL (night) The
Americans continue to harass vine
Germans north sof the Vesle. varying
heavy artillery bombardments with
line. There was some infantry fight
ing on the right wing of the American
sector last night, but this morning
they were practically unbothered, save
for a German feint. which failed to
develop into an attack
The doughboys attempted to storm
the German positions on the heights
north of the river last night but could
not maintain their gains on account OF
the heavy machine fire. This was the
second attack of the day, the Ameri-
cans going over the top from hastily
dug trenches in the morning. Ad-
vancing north of Fismette they drove
the boches from a wood, capturing
machine guns which they turned on
the fleeing enemy. The Germans
later counter attacked and drove the
Americans from the wood.
Turned Own Guns on Huns.
Yesterday the Americans captured
thirty machine guns and German
STRONGHOLD at Chateau Diable. They
brought them back and used them
against the Germans until they ran
out of ammunition. Then they dis
patched a detachment of infantry to
gather in some German machine gun
ammunition from the rear areas. They
now have sufficient to keep the Huns
going until they capture new supply.
The German positions are still helo
by Prussian troops, mostly machine
gun companies. They prevent much
hand to hand fighting.
Doughboys PIuclxy.
/ Officers tell many stories of the
pluck of American '"doughboys, hold
ing extremely difficult and unfavor-
able positions at the foot of the
heights north of the Vesle. These
men are continually shipping the
enemy. preventing the Germans from
making advances, ignoring the
enemy's artillery and working with
little food until relieved and sent to
the rear.
The streets of Fismette are being
raked continually by enemy machine
guns and American pontoon bridges
over the Ves1e are constantly Under
heavy German shell fire, making the
ficult. Despite the peril of the work
hospital men are working courage
ously and ambulances are continu-
ally carrying wounded from advanced
dressing posts to the rear thru Ger
man barrages.
Huns Had Gathered Metal.
Near Tardenois. I saw evil
dences of Germany's scarcity OF
metals. Along the railroad the enemy
had made huge piles of zinc, copper
and bras utensils, preparatory tc
shipping them to Germany. They
evacuated this region SO rapidly. how
don this loot.
The booty-all pillaged from French
houses = included smashed clocks
lamps, rods, screens, pots. bath tubs
pals and innumerable other articles
FORM opal" BATTALION