Evening star., 1918-04-11
Yankee Guns Do Bril-
liant Work Against
Enemy.
FOES GUNS SHELL
U. S. MEN 3 DAYS
Many Germans Killed or
Wounded In the Toul
Region.
BY the Associated Presa

/
By the Associated PresA
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, Wednesday, April 10.-Tht
Germans attempted an attack against
tho American positions northwest Of
Toul, just before sunrise this morning
and were completely repulsed. Two Ger
man prisoners said the enemy planned
the attack with force Of 800 men, but
that it was stopped in its full strength
by tho effective fire Of the American
artillery. The Americans lost no pris
oners. One Of the German prisoners
died later Of wounds.
It was the heaviest German attack
yet made on an American force. Bril-.
tiant work by American gunners dis
persed the German infantry before they
reached the wire entanglements and
those Of the enemy who got into the
wire were accounted for with machine
gun and rifle fire.
Bombarded Three Days.
The German attack came after vio-
lent artillery bombardment Of three
days. A large number of the enemy are
believed to have been killed or wounded
during the attack, which continued for
nearly two hours.
For seventy-two hours before their
effort the Germans had been firing an
increasing number of shells at the Amer
lean positions and making extensive use
Of gas shells. At noon yesterday the
enemy began q harassing fire against
one Of our strong points and kept it up
throughout the night. dropping hundreds
OF shells IL al calibers on both front
and rear positions. The American artil-
lery replied vigorously, the men in some
batteries working with their gas masks
on for two OF three hours at a stretch.
Barrage and Counter Barrage.
About o'clock this morning German
infantrymen in the front line signaled
their batteries for a barrage and started
for the American front line. The Ameri-
can gunners laid counter barrage al
most Immediately.
The attackers, who were especially
trained for this operation. were selected
from among the best men In three regi-
mepts. They were preceded by shock
platoons, but the American barrage caught
them before they were able to reach our
wire entanglements.
A terrific fire against the advancing
enemy was kept up by the American bat
teries. The Germans probably suffered
severe casualties aS several bodies were
seen hanging across the barbed wire after
the enemy retired. The attack was made
in a heavy morning mist. but the Aneri-
can gunners did wonderful work consider
ing the poor visibility.
As soon as the American barrage lifted
American infantrymen climbed from their
shelter and attacked the enemy with
heavy machine gun and rifle fre. driving
back those who had not been dispersed
by the artillery fire.
The attack was followed by violent
artillery duel which was still going on at
late hour tonight.
British Greet Americans.
WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE, April 10.-The first of the
American fighting troops have arrived
on the British front and have been
greeted with intense enthusiasm.
The overseas pioneers were a bat
TALON of infantry. which came swing
! Ing along the road into a certain sec
tor after an ali-night march that be-
gan on tho anniversary OF Americas
| declaration Of war. The dusty uni
, Americans showed that they had been
long on the road.
Hear Of Americans Power.
By the Associated Press.
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN
FRANCE. Tuesday. April s.-The ap
preaching entry of American troops into
| the line of battle beside the troops of tn.
| entente is being awaited with absorbing
Interest by the men who are facing thu
Germans along the front where Emperor
William twenty days ago launched wha'
was intended to be a crushing blow for the
allies.
Most of the men have heard how wei
the Americans have held the sectors in
various parts of the line. either actine
alone or in conjunction with their allies
| The desire rof the Americans to take par
/ in the greatest battle Of the war is looked
upon as further proof Of their fighting
spirit.
| Many Of the French troops now en-.
gagged in stopping the German offensive
have seen the Americans at work and
speak Enthusiastically Of their readi.
ness to learn all the intricacies OF
modern warfare. They recall the eager
manner in which the Americans Joined
in trench raids and the workmanlike
spirit with which they undertook the
hardships OF trench life, as well as thei,
willingness to carry out patrols in nc
mans land, even when they knew the
German scouting parties were Of su.
| perior numbers.
French soldiers who have been en-.
camped in the vicinity Of the American:
cannot say too much in regard to the
| ready comprehension shown by thei,
| tra1satlantic allies. They express the
certainty that they will live up fully
to expectations when their time come.
1 in the present battle.
Capture American Filler.
AMSTERDAM. April 10-The German.
have made their first capture of al
American aviator. a semi official Berlir
dispatch reports. He IL said to hav,
been shot down on the western from
on Sunday.
The American aviator IL described q,
N engtnser by profession, who sinot
esptember Of last year has served witl
lthe French forcas.
-, Z-ss1sz5e .-.t ! 49,