The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-06-05
RETREAT BEFORE
ATTACK
americans in Brilliant Maneu-
yer Against Foe on Great
Battle Front
NORTH CHATEAU THlERRY
Michigan Gun Battalion in Van.
Sammies Act Like Ex-
perienced Hands.
NORTH CHATEAU THiERRY
(Associated Press.)

(ASSOctated fressl
With the American Army in France.
y June 5.-The American troops thrown
M into the present great battle on the
front northwest of Chateau Thlerry IN
brilliant bayonet attack drove the
Cermans from Neuilly wood IN which
tbe enomy was attempting to estap-
1,sh himself after occupying the VII
LACE of Veuilly la -Poterie In severe
fghting.
The Germans poured a heavy ma
chine gun fire into the Alneri.ah s
ranks but the Americans rushed lot
ward and DESTROYED the hastily erect
cd machine gun positions on the euse
u ~ the woods. Continuing their ad-
vance they engaged the Germans AT
close quarters and cleared them en-
firely from their positions. DRIVING
them back upon the ruined village:
M In a sharp combat marked by the
fierceness of the allied machine gun
fire French and American troops
sighting side by side. almost wiped
nut small German forces which hao
rea ched the left bank OF the Marine
near Jaulgonne. east or chateau
Thierry. Most OF the enemy surVl-
xors were rounded up in small groups
and made prisoners
M On Monday in the attack against
the Germans at Veully~the Americans
drove them back one ana halt H,o-
metres on the front of a narrow sa-
lient. The ground was cleared or the
III enomv and the Americans arr now
holding their positions there. The
Ex xAmerican losses. according to the
'%1otcst reports available. were exceed
inglv slight most Of them resulting
fr m shell fire.
On Road All Night.
The first Americans to enter the
hattie zone were troops of n Michigan
gun battalion. They rode on trucks
during all of Friday night and arrived
at their new position on SaturudN
morning. These were the 'roops Whlch
rcpulsed the enemy forces which at
temnted to cross the Marine river.
The machine Cunners were sta-
tioncd within n certain town ana be
gan operations by poking the muzZlos
of their weapons through broken
walls. bushes and holes knocked in
the side of houses. The guns were
skillfully hidden and the Germans
were unable to locate them. The Ger
mans shelled the town heavily ana
The Americans took positions accord
inglv. Later on the enemy entered
the outskirts only to be pounded by
the allied artillery.
The correspondent today went over
the battle area and interviewed many
Of the American and French soldiers.
They are in excellent spirits and con-
fident that the line will hold. although
the worst probably is vet to come. as
the Germans have rot been able 10
bring M much heavy artillery. Until
then probably the outcome cannot be
determined.
Like Seething Maestrom.
The battle is raging over a hilly
country here crops are growing ana
\ there are no prepared trenches When
the Americans entered the line the
fighting was shifting back and forth
like a seething maclstrom. The Amcri-
cans each dug in and they went at 1t
like experienced hands. One o. the
American officers said
"The Germans are now learning that
the Americans are as resourccful as
any. The Germans do not ike the
Americans because they can dig in
with one hand and fight with the other
and smile at the same time
In will, ges along he Marine the
Americans are aiding the French in
guarding homes # the civilians who
were driven out by the enemy shelling
hy day and bombing by night Many
of these hitherto peaceful villages are
a most deserted.
The battle area presented a peculiar
and impressive picture this morning.
The correspondent had motored ali
night in the rear OF the front where
the low rumble Of guns was followed
bv flashes along the battle line and
shrapnel bursting against starry sky
which seemed alive with enemy air
planes.
MI at Dawn.
There was lull at dawn and the
clouds melted into silvery patches. The
ravs Of the sun shone L on the bat
tIcfield where, for a moment, II might
have been imagined the hell by night
had been turned into peace 10y day.
Win Allies Admiration.
tN--uru,tro trr--
With the French Army on the
Marine, Tuesday. June 4.-Ameri-
can troops made their presence
felt at several points IN the btq
battle Yesterday and today and
won the admiration Of their allied
comrades The town Of Veuilly
Ia-Poterie. between VIiers Cott-
erets snd Chateau Thierry was
the scene Of the mos. violent com
bats in which the Americans took
mart There with their French
comrades. they succeeded IN
throwing the Germans back.
When the Americans nrst came
into action here tho Germans were
irving n cnfcr Nouillv wood tn" en
,r1y haffalfuns were moved down ~ .
~, trans Atlantic machine Fi1nors .
who later surDor'sd .hE French In +
f,r.-, In n counter. attack ~ which Z
thc cromy was forced m retire hoNona +
the northern odce OF the od 4
.1ryz,,s ,eo-+ nI- she Germans to