Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-30
DAYLIGHT INSPECTION
MADE BY AMERICANS
SIX Spend -Four Hours in Hun
Trenches and Return
Unframed.
DISCOVERED on RETURN TRIr
euilcts Flew Thick and Fast, but
Daring khaki-Ciad Lads Reached
Their Own Lines Unscathcd.
Examine Long Stretch OF Dcfenscs.
TBy Associated Press.1

fBy Associated Press.l
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
RANCE. March 2s.-Two officers and
our men went over the top to-day in
road daylight. a feat seldom accom-
hshcd. Although the sun was shin
1gJand the sky was clear. the Amcri-
ans decided not TO defer any longer
heir determination to learn definitely
neither Germans were present in
reat numbers in an enemy trench.
When dawn came there were faint
iouds showing back Of the enemy's
mes. and the Americans delayed for a
ime. hoping for rain and fog, but when
ne clouds disappeared the two officers
nd tho four men decided to make tho
ayisht venture. although they would
under the eyes Of a watchful enemy.
no were In place where even pistol
unets might find their mark.
Machine guns were posted. and the
mericans. with grcnades swinging at
aeir waists. and with rcies IN hand.
lambcred up from the flrestep and out
yer the parapet. They slid headfirst
no the nearest she'll hole, and the
'urney Was on. Moving from shell hole
Shell hole. taking advantage Of the
'ishtest rise in the terrain. the pa
'ol proceeded. In the trenches behind
lem their comrades stood with fingers
their rifles ready to fire the instant
NY Germans might show themselves.
WE'RE SEEN BY COMRADES
TO ENTER ENEMY TRENCH
no
iembers were seen to force their way
trough the enemy fire, and. one BY
ne. disappear into the German front
:ench.
During the next four hours the men
the trenches waited anxiously. hear
ig nothing from the patrol. who, dur
is that time. were inspecting 600
ards OF the German trenches.
| Prepared for instan. battle. the SIX
ncricans made their way from ono
'cnch section 10 another. going into
ach dugout with the riuzzles OF their
istols and rifles preceding them. and
.aveled 200 yards. Returning TO the
ont from which they had started on
lcir inspection. they searched the
'enches 500 yards in the other direc-
on. While four hours may seem "A
ing time for this work. II must ne
ept In mind that every nd and every
ugout may contain an overwhelming
nemy group. and there was no Assur-
nee tina, the Germans had not con
called men in places. prepared 10 NEE,
lie invaders.
Inns DISCOVER PATROL.
AND BULLETS BEGIN To FLY
II was noon when FIRST the head Of
n American was observed above Ar
lerny parapct. The watchers IN the
nierican lines brcathed easier. but Il
lis moment the Germans discovered
lie patrol. and rifle bullets began e
mack against the trench sides ant
ot;om.
Discovered. tho six Americans los
time in moving out. Cnscathed, the,
.turncd TO our lines. bringing all The
formation they had sought.
AT the other end or our lines during
lie night American patrols sough, tc
o through the enemy wire. The,
enctrated the first belt successfully
Ut when they reached the second. :
!ergeant. who Is from Texas. put hi:
and on a wire and received an elect-!,
aock and was burned
This attracted the attention OF ar
,nemy sentry. who fred a rarc. fore.
lg the Americans TO drop TO ths
round. and they crawled hurriedly
ack to their own lines as the far.
led away.