The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-12
Americans Engaged in Counter
Attack Against Hun.
Direct Harassing Fire Into
Lines Near MOntdidier.
MARINES CLEAR OUT WOOD
Take 800 Prisoners and Estab-
lish New Positions.
Germans Repulsed in Heavy At
tack on BOuresches.

With the Americans West of Mont
pounding the German lines of COM
munications far in the rear. as the
French and boches grapple in the
struggle on the new front to the east
ward.
Flying in French airplanes, Ameri-
can observers direct the fire Of the big
guns. The roar of our own guns is
constant, while from beyond Montdid-
ier comes the heavy. drum-like rolling
Of the great battle for the Oise
The Huns attempted two determined
raids on American positions late Mon
day night. The Germans flung a
handful of men into the front line
hand to hand fighting. There are nu-
merous cases now of the Hun flyers
trying to disguise their machines as
French craft.
Repuise Two Raids.
(By the Associated Press)
With the American army in Picardy,
Tuesday, June 11-American artiI-
lery aided the French in their counter
attack against the Germans southwest
and south of Montdidier today by di-
recting a harassing fire against the
enemy.
Otherwise the American troops have
not been engaged in the present bat
tie.
The Americans in the sector west of
Montdid1er, however, are ready to as
sist in the fighting at the first oppor-
tunity.
The Germans made two minor raids
against the American lines at Can
tigny Monday night and were re-
pulsed each time. One raiding party
I@N =
revolver fire of the Americans.
On,the right of the American sector
German aviators have been busy. One
enemy Tying machine bearing a
French insigne as disguise flew over
the American line at a height of 500
meters and attacked with bombs and
machine gun fire American soldiers on
the march. The Americans took cover
and there were no casualties. Reports
that the Germans have been using
French signs on their airplanes have
been numerous during the last fort
night.
Marines Clear Out Wood.
With the American armies in
France, June 12.-American marines
have entirely cleared the important
Belleau wood five miles west of Cha
teau Thierry, of enemy forces. it was
established today.
The German defenders were
slaughtered in great numbers and
those who survived fled in disorder.
The American artillery preparation
began At $3.50 o'clock yesterday morn
| ing. An hour later the marines at
tackled the Germans who still held the
northern portion of the wood. They
were under orders to push thru to the
northeastern limits of the wood. They
carried out their instructions to. the
letter.
Take 800 Prisoners.
In addition to inflicting heavy cas-
ualties, the marines took 800 prison.
ers, including ten officers and cap
| tured two three-inch field pieces and
some minewerfers.
Their only casualties were light,
with the exceptions of those suffered
at one point. where a machine gun
| nest held out for sometime.
Broke Up Hun Attack.
While this fighting was under way.
the Germans launched an attack at 5
a. m. against the American units hold
ing Bouresches on the right. The as
sault was completely repulsed, great
masses of the enemy being broken up
by artillery and rifle fire.
Prisoners Are Happy.
Prisoners taken by the marines are
happy. Many of them are extremely
youthful and look well cared for, tho
some of them said they have had lit
tie to eat lately. All are members OF
Prussian unit. tho drafted from all
parts of Germany. Several who served
on the Russian front said they liked
it better there than on this front
Many of tn German regiments
they said. are recruited from Jews.
These are unwilling to fight and are
compelled to go into battle by machine
! guns placed in the rear of their lines.
Continued on Page TwoJ