Arizona republican., 1918-08-07
BAT TALON IF
 GERMANS WIPED OUT I BY TANKS
American Machine Gunners Pour Deadly Leaden Hail Into Huns Who Attempt
 to Attack Bridge Builders

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY ON THE AISNE MARINE FRONT. Aug. 6.-(Bv the Associated Press)-Ameri- can machine gunners, protecting a To- cation on the Vesle, west of Fishes. wiped out an entire battalion of Ger man infantrymen and machine gun ners today. The Germans at the time were getting into position to attack a group of American bridge builders who were approaching the location.
 Some bridge material had been moved near the south bank of the Vesle and the Germans, discovering II, had sent battalion to hill position to prevent the Americans carrying out their plan A detachment of crack American machine gunners had taken an elevated position commanding the location and opened fire when the Germans appeared.
 No Germans Got Away Observers reported that they did not see a single German get away from the leaden hail and, according to the last accounts not even enemy stretcher bearers approached the scene. The Germans replied so feebly with their | fire that there were no American casu- | alties.
 With their backs to the Aisne the Germans continued preparations today | for what may be either a stiff resist ance to give them more time for furth- CT withdrawal, or for definite stand. Minor actions along the American por- ton of the front and in the adjoining French sectors marked the day.
 The little force of men who were sent into Fismes still maintain their foot hold although they are not yet across f.,l, f1a oy- treme north portion of the town. Remove Wounded Under Barraee | Under a heavy barrage all their wounded have been taken out, and dur ing the night food was taken to them.
 The Germans have been unremitting in their efforts to dislodge the Ameri- cans. Numerous efforts have been made to retake the position, but the | accuracy of the American fire both of the supporting artillery and the small arms of the infantry within it, drove | back the enemy.
 East and west of Fishes the Ameri- cans have continued their reconnais- sance work, patrols crossing the river at different places The attachments. however never exceeded more than 20 men.
 Near (town deleted) a few men have remained and another force is on the hill over the river near Fismes.
 Reports received from the French sectors indicate virtually the same sit- . uation from Soissons to Reims.
 Rain Hampers Aircraft
 Clearer weather resulted in moro aerial activity for few hours. but the
 rain again began and the aircraft were forced to suspend operations. The Germans immediately seized the opportunity to send planes for pho-
 tographic purposes and incidentally to shoot up the allied transport. Their planes ir every case were quickly forced back by anti-aircraft guns. , Franco-American planes also did , some observation work north of the
 Vesle.
 , The engineers have mobilized equip
 ment for their part of the advance. and reports from far back of the line indi- cate that all clements of the allied
 forces will be immediately available. From the German side observers have . reported wagon trains in large num- , bers moving over some of the roads to- ward the rear.
 1, Make the Aisne Objective , This is not construed as conclusive
 evidence that the Germans still are in fl retreat. But this fact and the further
 fact that the Germans have not
 used at all extensively any but their
 small and medium calibre guns tends
 to support the belief that the crown
 prince really intends to make the Aisne
 the objective of his retreat
 The present positions of the Germans are excellent for defense however. The few big guns which have been , used by the Germans are in position: far back near the Aisne.
 The clearing up of the big field oi
 retreat has netted in one-half of the
 territory advanced over by the Ameri.
 cans alone fifteen trainloads of am |. munitinn. and general sunnliac