Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-06-07
LIEUT.. CAMPBELL
Continued from Paua Onel

down three of which destruction has
been confirmed. and forced down two
more. The latter action having been
confirmed.
During the night of June to 3.
one Of our patrols. operating in Lor-
raine and consisting of about 40 men.
encountered hostile patrol of double
it's size drawn up in skirmish forma-
ton along a line parallel to that #
our own patrol. Both patrols opened
fire with rifles, pistols, greEadeS and
automatic rifles and each tried to out
flank the other Our patrol, in spit,
of being greatly outnumbered, held
its ground for an hour, inflicted loss
eS on the enemy, and retired only
when its ammunition was almost cx-
Eausted. Our casualties were very
light.
during the night of June to Juna
3. one of our patrols operating in Lrr-
raine penetrated the enemys post
tons and advanced behind his secor l
line trenches. 1t inflicted on the en-
envy losses in killed and wounded ard
barrage from our Stokes mortars
"A French report of the work of an
American machine gun battalion, which
has recently been in action at Chateau
Thierry, includes the following;
ON May 81 the enemy threatened to
take Chateau Thierry, attempting to
flank the town on our left, and breach
was produced. The machine gun battal-
ion. United States army, was immedi-
ately thrown into Chateau Therry ST.
multaneously with a colonial infantry
battalion. Immediately the Americans
reinforced the entire defense, especially
a the ends of the bridge. Their cour-
age and ability as marksmen evoked
the admiration of all.
"'Clushed by our fire, the enemy hes
itated and, as a result of counter-at-
lacks vigorously supported by American
machine guns, they were thrown beyond
the edges of the town. Chateau Thier-
ry remained entirely in our hands On
the first of June. towards evening. TAX.
ing advantage of the darkness, the Ger
mans stole toward the large bridge. IN
| which direction they penetrated
through the western suburbs to the
| banks of the Marine. In order to mask
| their movements they made use Of
| smoke bombs which made the aid OF
| the machine guns very difficult. At the
| same time the town underwent an ex-
tremely violent bombardment. AT the
moment when the Germans arrived on
! the large bridge and believed them
! selves to be in possession of the same,
terrific explosion destroyed the CEN
| trail pier. Some Germans who had al
ready crossed were taken on the south
bank. The American machine guns held
the south bank and gave protection for
the withdrawal of the troops retiring
from the section for the purpose OF
crossing the bridge prior to it's destruc-
ton. Here again the courage of the
Americans was beyond all praise
The colonials themselves, though
accustomed to acts OF bravery were
struck by the wonderful morale in the
face of fire. the GOODNESS and the extra
ordinary steadiness of their allies. The
wa tchfulness Of the americans never
failed them, and with their machine
guns playing upon the approa ches of the
destroyed bridges and footbridges thev
prevented any re-attack by the enemy.
Thew will be relieved at the same time
as the French troops at the side OF
whom they fought. The French COM
roard knowing their just pride. fearel
that they would have Inundated these
valiant troops If they had offered them
rest sooner than French companions in
the fight. The episode OF the Chateau
Thierrv will remain one of the most
memorable deeds Of this war. It is =
pleasure for all OF us To know that our
valiant allies have shared. with us
there"