New-York tribune., 1918-04-16
Attack North of St. Mihiel
Breaks Down; Enemy
Losses Heavy
Defeat Reserves
From East Front
64 Germans Killed; II
Captured - Attempt at
Deception Frustrated
LBy Tho AsSocia.ea Press |

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, April 15.--The German at
tack against the American positions
on the right bank Of the Meuse, north
OF st. Mihiel, yesterday was made by
force Of four hundred picked troops
who were recently brought there from
the Russian front
Although the Americans we're out
numbered more than two to one, they
completely repulsed the enemy, driving
him back to his own trenches. The
known enemy casualties include sixty
four dead, many wounded and eleven
prisoners besides a number of wound
ed who were dragged back to the Ger
man lines by their comrades.
Deception is Frustrated
The Germans attempted to deceive
the Americans by appearing in front of
the trenches and speaking French and
English, and also by yelling "Gas."
The deception, however, was soon dis
covered, and cost the enemy dearly.
The American casualties were COM
paratively slight.
Numerous stories of individual
bravery poured into the headouarters
to-day. A young Italian, born in
Pennsylvania coal mining town. killed
one German and captured three. He
saw eight Germans walking in a COM
lnunication trench ahead OF hin, and,
although alone, he shot and killed one
and ran after the others, capturing
two and wounding some of those who
escaped. He then returned to the
American line and turned over the
prisoners to a commissioned Of
ficer and coolly asked for match.
Goes After Another
The officer jokingir SAID: "l'll give
you match if you bring in another
prisoner" The Italian, who is only
feet inches tall, took him at his word
and went back over the parapet. He
returned in less than five minutes
walking with drawn bayonet behind
six-foot German, VINO was yelling
"Kamarad Kamarad!"
A few minutes later it was reported
that ten Germans were lying in a ma
chine gun nest in No Mans Land. The
Italian started for the spot alone. but
he was ordered back by the COM
mander of: the unit, who later sent q
detachment of men to rout out the
enemy, which they did.
The prisoners captured by the
Americans were mostly under twenty
years of age. They carried two days
ratlons and entrenching tools, and said
they expected to occupy the American
front line positions. Most of them COM
planned about the German food. The
bread which they carried was almost
black in color and they eagcrly de-
voured the white bread offered By their
captors.
The prisoners said the attack was made
by picked men from four companies,
two from the 272d Regiment, regular
reserves. one of shock troops and one
of pioneers. Some wore belts with
large buckle, bearing the inscription,
"Gott Nit Uns." Several carried long
trench knives resembling daggers.
A large! percentage Of the American
troops participating in this engage
ment were sons Of foreign-born par
ents, some of them seventeen or eigh- i,
teen years old. They are, however. hard
cned to trench warfare and absolutely |
fearless. There is nothing they like |
better than chance to "go over the |
top"
Tried to Scare Americans
The enemy made the attack in four
groups, AS soon as they reached the
American wire entanglements they be- |
gan yelling "Gas!" At one point tho |
Americans began to put on their gas
masks, whereupon the Germans opened !
fire, but the ruse was discovered be- !
fore the enemy could do any damage.
The Americans went at the Germans |
with hand grcnades, rifles and auto ,
mates. small party Of Germans who |
attempted the same trick at another
point were outwtted by an American,
who shoutcd Fellows, there's too |
much wind for Gus. They're Germans.
Give them hell!"
"And we cid,' added Massachusetts !
lad who took part in the attack.
Another group of the enemy tried .
to impersonate Allied troops.
"They didn't have the password"
Continued ON Nert Page, Col. 5