South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-14
j. s. TROOPS
REPULSE TWO
HUN ATTACKS
Americans in FirS; AlI-Day
Battle Since Arriving at the
French Front, and Face
Heavy BOmbardmentS.
Associated Press Service:

Associated Press Service:
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
N FRANCE. April 13.-Ye esterday's
battle was the first all-day struggle
in which the American troops have
been engaged. Two German at
tacks which We're delivered in force
against the American positions
northwest of Toul, were repulsed
with heavy casualties TO the enemy,
including SO prisoners left in the
hands of the Americans. The Amer
lean losses were slight.
The fighting began with one Of
the most violent bOmbardments ever
laid down i'm that sector During
Thursday night the Germans kept
up a harassing fire, throwing many
gas shells into the American posi-
ton. The first attack began about
o'clock in the morning and was
directed against the French troops
on the left flank Of the American
forces in the forest of Apremont.
While this was going on the Amer
lean troops made a counter attack
on the German line. moving forward
behind a perfect curtain of fire. The
enemy. driven out of his trenches,
was forced in the open.
Use Heavy Gun.
4 deadly machine gun and auto
matte rifle fire was poured into the
enemy. who offered stubborn resist
ance at first, but later retreated to
their second line, hotly pursued by
= -
lighting continued for several hours.
The Germans again attacked at
II o'clock at a point further 20 the
right. The American barrage fire
cut them off, but the German officers
drove their men through the eN-
ploding shells until few succeeded
i'm penetrating the American front
line
4 counter attack which was i'm
mediately launched by the Ameri-
cans. elected the enemy. driving him
back to his positions. The struggle
continued to sway back and forth
/ for several hours.
Guns Work Like He'll"
While the action was at its height,
the commando Of an American ma
chine gun unit reported 10 his chief
that all the machine gun emplace-
ments had been shot away but that
every gun is working like hell"
The attacks were made by the re-
organized remnant of 500 shock
/ troops. who failed TO reach the
I American positions in their gigantic
raid on Wednesday. Their ranks
were filed out by picked men from
other units. The German prisoners
who belonged 10 six different organ
/ izations. said that the attack was
ordered TO avenge the crushing de-
feat administered to the enemy or
+ Wednesday. Five of the prisoners
were UhlanS, and all Of the mer
taken were carrying haversac cks well
! oiled, as if in preparation for "a pro-
t,acted stay in the American trench
/ es. corroborating the stories told by
/ prisoners taken on Wednesday. who
said that the Germans had beer
ordered 70 penetrate the American
third line at all costs
Take Positions Singing.
The American troops. although
tired from nearly six days of in
fantry activity, went into their po-
sitions singing and expressing theil
pleasure at an opportunity TO fight
i'm the open in preference 10 what
they term sewer fighting"
The residents Of villages behind
the lines saw the Americans moving
forward and shouted words Of en-
couragement TO the truck loads o.
smiling men, who waved their cap:
anG cheered heartily. French Off
GERS have again praised the remark
able fighting qualities and the cour
age of the American infantrymen
and the splendid cooperation showI
by the American artillery. Som,
units Of the artillery were forced 70,
long periods to work in gas masks
An artillery duel which was re
Sumed last night continued Will
little interruption until late thi
morning.