The public ledger., 1918-03-02

German Batteries That Bombarded
Front Wiped Out--AdvancIng Foe
Met With Hall Of Machine
Gun Fire and Retires.

On two sectors of the Western front
American soldiers have successfully
countered the tactics Of the enemy
Northwest of-Toul American gunnera
have wiped out the German batteries,
which had bombarded the American
positions earlier In the week, with
gas shells. Along the Chemin des
Danes American machine guns and
artillery fire reDulsed strong enemy
attack with losses.
On the British and French fronts
there has been no change. In Italy
small patrol and artillery actions con-
tinue.
With the American Army. In France,
Thursday, February 2S-Swift retrib-
ution has fallen upon the German bat
teries, which this week bombarded the
American trenches northwest Of Toul
with gas shells. American heavy ar
tillery concentrated its fire on the
German Minenwerfer batteries for
half an hour today and obllterated the
position.
Many direct this with high explo-
sive shells we're made by the Ameri-
can gunners. Timbers were thrown
high in the air and explosions, prob
ably of enemy ammunition and gas,
resulted. The grouSd about the Ger
man batteries was .churned upside
down, and IL there were any Ger
man soldiers there they certainly suf-
fered death.
Thus far six men have died from
the effects of the German gas shells.
More than eighty are in hospitals suf-
fering from gas poisoning. Most of
these cases, however, are slight, and
only one man is reported to be In
grave condition.
Airplane photographs aided the
American gunners in their destruc-
tive fire against the German batteries.
The photographs, taken yesterday.
disclosed the exact location of the
Minenwerfers, with the result that IL
did not take. gunners long to even ur
the score with the enemy.
With the number of enemy shells
falling within the American lines has
decreased slightly in the past twen-
ty-four hours, nevertheless the artil-
lery fighting has been lively.
While an empty American ammuni-
tion train was halted at place called
Deadman's Point, stray enemy shell
dropped near by and killed two men,
two horses who had run away, and
wounded four men.
In certain town behind the front
a German shell exploded near the
door leading to telephone dugout,
the passageway. The oper-
ators in the dugout, although in con-
siderable danger, continued to work
The important lines at the same time
calling for help. Soldiers were sent
o the dugout and the passageway re-
opened.
The American artillery has kept
Up constant harassing and destruc-
i've fire on many vital enemy points,
uch as cross roads and towns. Ger
nan working parties were dispersed
Effectively, and one of the 75s fired
igorously on number of Germans
n first-line trench, quickly blowing
n the entire trench system. Ground
mist and rain have prevented free OBJ
ervation, but the guns have the ene-
ny targets so we'll registered that
hey have been able to work effectt-
yely.
Late this afternoon the Germans
tempted to retaliate for the destruc-
on of the Minenwerfer batteries.
hey bombarded the American heavy
rtillery with their biggest guns, but
leir shooting had little effect. Amer
AN patrols were all over No. Mans
and last night, but did not encounter
ny Germans.
The American sector is now an
cean of mud, and constant work is
ecessary to keep the trenches, gun