The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1918-08-14
YANKEES DRIVE
AHEAD THROUGH
l GERMAN CENTER
Continue Their Incessant Pound
ing North Of the vesle
River.
take TOWN OF FIsMETTE
Artillery 10 Blasting Away at Boehe
Defenses, All Along Line-Yanks
Fight Out Of Trap Set
by Huns.


With the American Armies in
France, Aug. 12.--American troops
continue their incessant pounding at
the German center north of the vesle
river.
Although our wings on each side Of
bfsmes are comparatively quiet as re-
CARDS infantry fighting, the Americans
are slowly advancing up the ravines
running northward from the Vesle, to-
ward the plateau and heights where
the Germans are strongly intrenched.
The little town of Fismette, about
mile north of Fismes, had been cap
tured greatly improving our bridgehead
on the north bank of the vesle.
Our artillery is blasting away at the
Boche defenses all along the line, but
the firing is particularly heavy just
north of Fismes, where the gunners
are seeking to open up way for the
infantry.
German Fire Decreasing.
The German artillery fire is lessening
noticeably. Its barrages mostly are
created by heavy caliber pieces, accord
Ing to prisoners. This indicates that
the enemy is Withdrawing its artillery
farther northward and removing mate
rial, possibly In preparation for re-
tirement across the Aisne.
Captured officers frankly admit the
aim of the Germans is now to hold Off
the allies until they are ready to fall
back again. They say they are hard
pressed for fresh divisions to with
stand the allied pushes. The German
crown prince already has used third
Of the Germans entire west front
strength in attempting to repulse the
Marine drive.
The American attack was made af
ter deadly artillery preparation, the
dOughboys then rushing the village (Of
Fismette) and reaching the Boches be-
fore they could get away. In hand-tO-
hand street fighting practically all
Prussian troops who opposed them
were either killed or captured. At
that the percentage Of prisoners was
small.
In the rear areas, the Americans are
assisting refugees to re-establish them
selves In villages recently captured
American trucks rolling nOrthward usu-
ally carry women and children on top
Of the piles of ammunition and sup
plies.
Heights of vesle Defended.
HauIuta rta ha
Vesle, Aug. 12.-Whatever may be the
ultimate intentions of the Germans
they have methOdically thought out the
problem of defending the heights north
of the Vesle and are strongly discOur-
aging all efforts to approach them.
The Germans doubtless encouraged
the Americans with the idea that Fis-
mes had been abandoned, because when
the Americans entered the town they
ran up against liberal supply of ma
chine-gun nests But, as the enemy dis
covered at Seicheprey (east of ST. Mi
hiel), 1t is one thing to get the Ameri-
cans into trap and another thing to
get them out of it. The Germans in
the end had the most unpleasant recOl-
lectiOns of Fismes.
With Fismes occupied the struggle
for the valley began. The American
crossing of the Vesle was a fine piece
Of work and coOlly performed under
searching enemy fire.
Many Hidden Machine-Gun Nests.
1t was only when the Americans adj
vanced to the foot of the hills that they
realized the character of the German
opposition. On the heights above were
hidden German machine guns. 1t was
impossible to approach them, since
they had a clear field of fire, and as
they were invisible they could keep
the Americans from 1000 to 1900 yards
away. Big shells then began to drop
in the American lines, apparently fred
from heavy bowitzers which probably
have been withdrawn In safety beyond
the Aisne.
The Americans are lying on the hill
side virtually In the open with the Ger
man gunners watching every moment
from the dark belt Of trees above. The
American gunners are peppering the
enemy with shell and gas, but without
sensibly diminishing their fire. Mean
while, the big shells still are coming
over and any reply to them is uncertain
business.