The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-18
AMERICAN FIELD
 HOSPITAL TARGET
 FOR HUN A|RPLIANE
Several Unusually Heavy Bombs Were Dropped Nearby, But No Dars,-
 age Was Done

With the American Army i'm France, Saturday, February 10.-(By the As- sociated Press.)-An American held hospital in a town within our lines ap- parently was the target for . German nirplane which flew over 1t last night ma dropped several unusually heavy bombs.
 The hospital, in which were number of sick and wounded officers and men, was the building nearest the places where the German airman dropped two different sets of bombs.
 Fortunately none of the missiles reached their mark, although the hospital patients and the residents of the town were se- verely shaken by the explosions Amer emy but without success.
 The hospital probably will be moved to less dangerous spot.
 PATROL CUT OFF
 With the American Army in France, February 16.-(By Associated Press.) )-An American patrol having passed the first line .of German entanglements and ap- preached the second line last night. was suddenly cut off by current of electric ity along the first wire line.
 Instead of attempting an immediate re- turn to their trenches, which would have meant certain death from electrocution or machine gun fire, the Americans clung close to the earth, and later. when the electricity was cut off, returned in safety to their positions
 THRILLING EXPERIENCE E It was a thrilling experience for the patrol A certain number of men get out from the American position In the hope of encountering number of enemy at point in the German trenches. They had succeeded in geeting through the first line and had crawied on until the second was reached. When they were just about to start under the second line there was bluish glow, and turning around they saw long, hvid sparks play ing through the barbed wire of the first line. The enemy had turned on pow erful electric current.
 The patrollers quickly flattened out on the ground. thinking they had been dis covered and expecting to hear momen- tarily machine gun bullets go singing overhead Nothing of the kind happened however. Apparently the Germans merely turned on the current by chance hoping that if any Americans were within the entanglements they would pc killed on the wire or while trying tc get out. The patrol returned safely tc the American lines when the electricity was cut off.
 The Germans apparently discovering the meaning of some of the American rockei signals. last night caused the Americana for considerable distance along the front. to prepare for a gas attack. Al first the Germans sent into the air a rocket of a certain color which is the American signal for gas attacks, but tht hoax was discovered soon after the troops adjusted their gas masks
 The Germans next sent up rocket calling for barrage by the Americans but the American officers on observa. ton duty in an advanced post. seeinl whence the rocket came sent mes. sage to the artillery In time to prevent lit from laying down the enedless sheI Hire. The command to fire was ready E to be given when the informatior reached the gunnern that the enemy wal responsible for the barrage signal. Ex- tremely quick work was necessary to sto, the order to fire. for the American ar. tiilery has reached q high degree ol speed In going into action.
 The Germans are coming to realiz< this, and they are not 70 free with thu shells n In the early days of the Amor flcan occupation Of tho lfne In tho Inn, euago of the front. every tl1ne thaf Hrit, eoh6e over ono ehell nov n o6<g 'aI ee<nfqr ln return. .s