The Robesonian., 1918-03-04
AMERICAN TROOPS REPULsE
STRONG GERMAN ATTACK.
Ground in Front of American Trench
es Strewn With German Dead
Many American Casualties.


With the American Army in France,
March / (By the Associated Press)-
American troops repulsed strong
German attack this morning in the
salient north Of Toul. There were
many American casualties, one of the
killo being captain who was gradu-
atcd from West Point in 1917.
The raid was complete failure
three German prisoners remaining in
American hands. The ground In
front of the American trenches was
stem with German dead.
A driving wet snow was falling this
morning when the Germans opened
fire on the American salient with
every weapon at their command. Sew
enty-Sevens, heavy shells and gas
the American trenches for half an
hour.
At the same time enemy shells in
great numbers were dropping on the
American battery positions. The Ger
mans, evidently thinking the Ameri-
cans in this section having had one
taste of gas a few days ago, would
fear it now, let loose great quantities
of poisonous gas, but the men put On
their masks ard only few were af-
fected by it, So intense was the fire
that the the woods back of the salient
were cut to pieces.
At o'clock the barrage fire lifted
on the trenches on the right of the
salient and Germans numbering 240
came sweeping forward under pro-
lection of their fire. They came for
ward apparently intending to make a
big haul and jump into what was left
of the trenches but instead of the
easy time anticipated, they found the
Americans all ready for battle. Fierce
hand-to-hand fighting began.
One captain rallied the men with
rifles and machine guns and went
through the American wire entangle-
ments into No Mans Land and there
waited for the enemy, whom he ex-
pected to be driven out by his COM
rades in the trenches.
He was right, for soon groups of
the enemy started through the wire
entanglements. The Americans pour
ed in a deadly fire but unfortunately
the captain was killed duling the
fight. He is the first member of the
1917 class at West Point to be killed.
While the Americans were in front
of the wire entanglements and in shell
holes, still fighting desperately, the
American barrage fire began sweep
ing No Mans Land, catching many
running Prussians who had enough
of American methods. The barrage
swept back and forth, making sure
of doing all possible damage to the
foe.
When the enemy had been driven
back out of the positions, the bodies
of ten German soldiers were found in
the American trenches. Two German
officers were entangled in the wire
and many bodies were in sight Eight
were visible through the snow storm
at one point. The ground was litter
ed with enemy hand grenades, boxes
of explosives for destroying dugouts
and incendiary bombs which they had
no opportunity to use.
They managed however, to drop in
scendiary bombs in two dugouts which
were destroyed by fire, but no Ameri-
cans were in them. If the Germans
captured any prisoners, which is
doubtful, there were not more than
two or three, possibly from a listen
ing post. Of the missing many prob
ably were buried. Digging for them
now is proceeding and others may be
accounted for.
Two German prisoners were wound
ed and the other taken was unhurt
except for welt on one of his hands
where he was struck by young
American soldier when he showed
fight after capture.
From the prisoners the American
officers have secured much valuable
information. One said:
81 did not have chance to do any
thing before an American jumped on
to me and GRABBED me by the throat
The Germans had been preparing
for the raid for three weeks and be-
longed to the 18th reserve division of
Hanover. The prisoners had Russian
coins in their possession and came
into the trenches opposite just before
the Americans took over this section
The Americans lost many killed and
wounded, including officers The
Americans displayed the greatest per.
sonal courage, bravery and energy
throughout the engagement and out.
fought the surprised enemy from the
instant contact was established.
During the bombardment, town
behind the American line was heavi
ly shelled and there were some casu
alties.