South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-09-08
YANKEES CLEAN
WOOD OF HUNS
German Attempt to Hold the
Dense Patch From Amer
leans is Futile.
Associated Press Service

Associated Press Service.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
on THE AISNE FRONT, Sept. T.
The attempt OF the Germans TO re
tain their foothold on the south side
OF the Aisne canal in a wood on
the west Of the Vfllers-en-Prayers
and Prayersand was nullifed by q
small but brilliant operation early
this morning. The dense little wood
had been packed with machine
guns under cover OF the German
guns.
The only break in the American
line along the canal was at that
place. The task Of cleaning IL out
began at 4 O'Clock In the morning
and was completed before 10. There
was no opportunity 10 take pris-
oners. but the toll OF German dead
was great as compared with the
magnitude OF the engagement.
Along the line 70 the junction
with the French, heavy resistance
Z continues. and indications are in
creasing that the Germans do not
/ propose 10 be hurried in the retreat
in his district northwest Of Rheims.
The artillery on both sides was in
violent action, but with the excep-
ton OF ~patroIling there was no ef-
fort az infantry work.
General Line Unchanged.
Tie general line held by the
Americans has not changed. From
one plaC, the Americans brought In
SO prisoners. members Of one Of the
] German divisions. Among them
we're two officers. one OF whom is
Lieut. Gsspard Alv~ersleben. whose
father is reputed 70 be one OF the
emperor's advisers. In was this
lieutenant who commanded the de-
tachment that recently compelled a
small American force TO evacuate
Fismette 1t was the organization
20 which that force belonged which
captured him.
The capture OF the wood near the
canal was accomplished after in
tensiNe artillery preparation and in
the face Of a s%mothering machine
gun and artillery fire. The Ameri-
cans crept close In during the dark
ness and rushed the woods about .
/ o'clock.
Mann Enemy Machine Guns.
From the woods enough machine
sun nests We're left 10 give q sharp
greeting. but the real line OF bursts
was from beyond the canal But
this was met with a strong Ameri-
can c~ounter-hre.
The raising OF q smoke screen
rnr-rh 90 +h. Argr~a ..-r-. .- rr-- H.
gave rise 20 the presumption that
possibly the Germans were already
moving back. This was dispelled
by later developments. although il
would not surprise any one IL they
withdrew shortly Some regard II
as probable. however. that the Ger
mans intend 20 make a stand along
the Aisne az least until the onward
move OF the French and British
north Of scissors is more definitely
established.
Northeast OF Rheims there is an
evident dislike on the part OF the
Germans for retirement ana in the
broken country there remains
strong forces. which are moving
only slowly towards the rear. L the
Germans wish. they a maintain
their present position FOR many
days but FOR every day IL appears
probable that the price they must
pay wiz be Increased.
From one prisoner comes an ex-
PLANTATION OF why lie~utenants lately
have been found commanding com
panies Tie said orders had been
issued that because Of the scarcity
OF officers companies iu the future
should Dee commanded ly ueuten-
ants hartalions by captains and
regiments tv majors
BaNartan Troops MutinOu~
s. German captured recently hy
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