Evening star., 1918-07-04
Germans Moved Down.

Noy hSHl was lOSl.
Germans Moved Down.
The counter attack developed after
the Germans had heavily bombardsd
Vaux and Bois de la Roche. When the
German infantry leaped from ftu
trenches the troops came over in close
formation. In some cases whole COM
panfes were allowed to approach close
to the American line, then the Amsrs-
can machine gunners. from their hid.
den nests. let loose a perfect hail OF
bullets, moving down the enemy
ranks and piling the dead all over the
ground where the Germans were try.
ing to advance.
Artillery's Aid Efficient.
The American artillery lent efficient
aid in completely breaking up the
enemy attack, which was launched
with fresh regiments of storm troops.
The number of prisoners taken by
the Americans in the operations near
Chateau Thierry was increased today
without the American infantry oper-
ating except as skirmishers.
German shells have been raining on
the new American positions and the
enemy fire has been answered by the
was the target of projectiies OF all
ealibers, gas shells being mixed with
high explosive missiles. The shells
have been falling heavily in the areas
behind the battle line. The enemy fire.
particularly on the right flank of the
new positions at Vaux. was most i'm
tense for hours.
Machine Gunners Hold On.
At last reports the American ma
chine gunners were holding their
ground and repulsing small but des-
perate efforts Of the Germans to re-
gain the ground wrested from them.
The Americans are reported to be well
protected by their temporary trenches
and are not exposing themselves
needlessly to the storm of flying steel
from the bursting German shells
The German loss in killed IL un-
known. but prisoners say that their
orders were to drive back the Amert-s
cans at all costs. They have paid the
to perform the task intrusted to them.
From the general conditions along
the battle line 1t appears that further
attacks by the Germans are likely to
develop. The Americans. however.
are just as ready for what Is coming
as they were for what has passed and
are just as confident as to the OUT
come.
Answer Shot for Shot. ~
The enemy artillery this afternoon
increased the intensity of its fire in
the Vaux region. The crash of ex-
ploding shells swelled to roar. while
the ground and air throbbed with the
concussion of shells. But the Ameri-
can guns answered the German chal-
lenge shot for shot.
The American gunners. stripped to the
waist. stood in the gunpits and on gun
feeding shells as fast as
&l,@x NIL No. l. fA -
and a steady stream Of steel explosives
swept through space on to the enemy
lines.
At o'clock this evening the gunflrs
showed no signs of abating. the enemy
artillery @ foS;3 work; IL. is anything; evidencins
aviators. keeping vigil over the fighting
zone, found the ground completely OBJ
scured at places by the smoke Of guns
and shells.
Among the captured material thus far
counted are six heavy machine guns.
eighteen light> machine guns, six trench.
two grenade throwers, 100 I.
rifles. one motor cycle machine gun and
large quantities of ammunition and
Germans Frustrated.
This morning the Germans attempted
a raid in the st. Die region and patrols.
also were busy in the same neighbor-
hood, but the enemy gained no informa-
ton. -
The American troops are rapidly
themselves with the DIM
culties Of the mountainous region and
are dealing promptly and effectively with
all efforts of the enemy to dominate
no mans land. The American patrols
and scouting parties are becoming more
and more active and efficient as they be-
come acquainted with the terrain. Their
boldness and accurate fire are giving thd
enemy reasons to use prudence when
venturing outside dugouts and trenches.
Nine Foe Aeros Downed.
Nine German airplanes are unofi-
cialIy reported to have been destroyed
by American pursuit squadpns in the
air fighting which has been going on
since daylight over the smoking bat
tie zone of Vaux. Among the flyers
engaged during the day was Quentin
youngest son Of Col. Theo-
dore Roosevelt. He is flying q Nieu-
port machine.
Victories are claimed for Lieuts. j.
Fl. Stephens, New York: X. L. Porter.
Dowagiac, Mich: Ralph O'Neill. Dem.
yer, and Maxwell Perry. Indianapolis.
Ali told. on Tuesday and Wednesday
squadrons in this sector engaged tn
about twenty combats, bringing down
seven enemy planes. Two American
lviators were lost and one was seri-
ously wounded.
Americans Are Inspected.
s'.s'
By the Associated Press. -
WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE, July. 3.-American head
,een honored by a visit from the
Duke of Connaught, former governor
general of Canada. who spent a oon-..
siderable time inspecting the overs
,eas troops in their training camps.
rhe distinguished guest displayed in
ense interest in the work of the new
4iiiiiisss and appeared ta be greatly