Mexico Missouri message., 1918-08-08

tanned a powerful assault on Vaux,
west Of Chateau Thierry, and though
forced out Of that village momentarlly,
they regained possession of 1t by a
brilliant counter-attack. Then, far
ther to the east, at the Jaulgonne
bend of the Marne, they we're called
on to check a tremendous rush Of
Huns across the river. Their advanced
line fell back, the guns all the time
slaughterlng the Germans who we're
trying to get over with pontoons and
canvas boats. Then the main line
Of defense came into action, changed
Itself into q line of offenSe, and swept
the enemy back across or into the
river, killing great numbers and cap
turing about 1,500, including a com
plete brigade staff. The fighting In
that sector continued with great in
tensity, but the Americans command
ed the river front at the bend.
-M-
On Tuesday the Americans, in CO.
operation with the French, launched
heavy attacks between st. Agnan and
La Chapelle-MOnthodon southeast OF
Jaulgonne, where the Germans had
succeeded In getting considerable
forces across the river. The enemy
was driven back steadily and both
these villages, as well as others, were
recaptured. From Dormans, north
ward toward Reims, in a sector held
by Franco-Italian forces, the Huns at
first advanced two or three miles,
but occupied no positions of impor-
tance and were unable to disorganize
in the least the defensive line of the
allies. BY Wednesday the Germans
were making their greatest efforts
in this sector, trying to force
their way toward Epernay. But
by this time the French were
manIfestly holding the upper hand,
and they counter-attacked eagerly
and spiritedly, retaking every piece of
ground which the Germans occupied
by their desperate efforts. Nearly ev-
cry attempt of the enemy to advance
was repulsed almost before 1t started.
-@-
The swiftest and most complete
check sustained by the Germans was
east of Reims, between Pompelle fort
and Main de Massiges. Expecting an
easy victory there, they met with a
crushing defeat at the hands of the
French troops under General Gouraud.
This gallant commander who lost an
arm at the Dardanelles, had disposed
his men with the utmost cleverness.
When the German bombardment be-
gan, one of the most terrific ever
known, the French except for machine
gun crews in blockhouses, retired to
shelter. Then the observers announ'
ced that the advance was starting, and
instantly the enemy was swept by @
devastating fire from cannon, machine
guns and rifles. The blockhouses re.
tarded the Huns, large numbers oi
whom were killed, and the charging
Of resistance, coming to a standstill al
the wire entanglements, which were
loaded with dead bodies.
The Huns engaged in this attack
were fifteen elite divisions, with ter
divisions supporting. Less than one
third as many Frenchmen defeated
them, and the French casualties were
astonishlngly few. The attacking Ger
man divisions had to be relieved, bu
the French staid in their positions
happy and cheerful and more conf
dent than ever.
The morale of all the allied troops
indeed. was Of the highest, in strong
contrast to that of the enemy as re
vealed by the words and actions OF
prisoners. The spirit of the Americans
engaged was shorn vividIy by two in
cidents worth recording. On the frs
day, when a certain force of Yankees
had been compelled to give ground
their commander was advised by G
French general 10 let his men rest, as
the retirement could have no serious
consequences. The American respond
ed that he could not accept the coun
sci and was going to counter-attacl
at once. This he did. regaining the
lost terrain and half a mile more Il
boot. Another commander, in report
Ing the recapture of number oi
towns. wired TO headquarters; "Met
Boche on his line Of defense. SharI
fighting. Boche turned tail and ran
like HI, pursued by our troops. Hope
to have more prisoners" There were
numerous instances Of Valor and nerve
in the desperate fighting In which the
Americans took part. These are the
troops which the German papers as
sert are fiabby. without enthusiasm
ana unnt for serious operations