Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-07-23
HUNS FAIL TO
RENEW ATTACK
AGAINST YANKS
Americans HurI Foes Into the
Marne River.
STORY OF GREAT FIGHT
Men Fought With Unparalleled Fe-
rocity to RepuIse Enemy-voIun-
teers GalIoped Three Miles
over SheII-swept Road to
Get Ammunition.


With the Americans on the Marine.
July H.-Thrown back across the
Marine by the brilliant American coun-
ter-attack, the Germans had not re-
newed their infantry assaults up to
the hour of cabling.
The sky was overcast and it was
raining internationally. The artillery
duel, which continued all night, was
still raging.
There was considerable areial ac-
tivity despite unfavorable weather,
and great quantities of bombs We're
dropped on the rear areas of both
armies.
Take 1900 Germans.
The American counter-attack which
cleared the river bend of the enemy
resulted in the taking of between 1000
and 1,50O prisoners, Including com
plete brigade staff.
Failure of the enemy to renew his
attacks may be significant, as infan-
try actions usually start before six
O'Clock.
The German attack on the Marine
began at a. N. Initial attempts of
the enemy to bridge the river were
frustrated by American artillery and
machine. gun fire.
AS the Boche fire was concentrated
on the American positions in the bend
Of the river, from three sides, our men
gradually fell back in perfect order
and the Germans succeeded in throw
ing six pontoons across.
Following the cleverest dictates of
strategy, the American retirement con
tinued until our men reached the base
of the salient created by the bend of
the river There they halted at ten
O'Clock and resisted all efforts of the
Boches to dislodge them.
Cool Under Fire.
Coolly, despite the harassing fire,
the officers began preparing for a
counter-attack. Shortly after noon it
began. Slowly and methodically, as
though executing some training ma
newer, the Americans pressed for
ward.
Their advance was irresistible.
They drove the Germans back more
than two kilometers Ga mile and a
quarter) before there was any slack
ening of lie attack. When it did halt
it was voluntary.
Hurl Foe Into Marine.
The counter-attack was resumed af-
ter a brief pause. This time the
American assault was conducted with
an almost unbelievable ferocity. The
Boches were caught up in the cyclonic
rush and great numbers of them were
hurled bodily into the river.
When the Boches reached the river
bank they were compelled to plunge
in, and mdny were drowned. Others
were caught in the rain of shells and
machine gun bullets, and the stream
was soon thickly dotted with shat
tered bodies.
Battle Most Remarkable.
The battle was one of the most re-
markable of the war. For ten hours
the intense Smelling by guns of all cali
Der continued. Everything within 40
kilometers (25 miles) of the front was
shelled, while the front lines and or
CARNATIONS Immediately in the rear
were subjected to the tiercest deluge
of gas shells and high explosives.
When the Germans attacked a
creeping barrage five kilometers (mOre
than three miles) deep swept over the
American and French lines. Behind
this, curtain of fire the Boches crossed
the river.
In addition to the pontoons, canvas
boats and RATS, each holding score
of men, were sent out from the con-
cealment of wooded banks, their occu-
pants polling them across.
The Boches looked like gnomes
while crossing the river, being forced
to wear gas masks, owing to the vio-
lence of their own casing.
Brave Three-MiIe Inferno.
Numerous stories are told of indi-
ViQual bravery OF Iue AIHeflCdHS. On0
artillery outfit maintained such a con-
slant rapid fire that it ran short of
ammunition.
Volunteers were called for to go
three miles over a road every inch of
which was swept by shell fire. Every
man volunteered.
The necessary number was picked.
They drove their horses, dragging the
humping caissons at a gallOp through
shell bursts. Several horses were
killed. Returning, more horses were
killed.
Men Help Haul Burden.
The number of horses was so re-
duced the men were forced to sub
stitute themselves. They would leap
off. cut loose the mangled bodies of
the faithful animals, grasp the traces
and run along beside the remaining
horses.
When this strange caFvacade ar
rived at the battery the men serving
The guns paused long enough in their
deadly work to cheer their heroic COM
rades