The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-08-24

tory, with many similar spots, as be.
ing the scene Of unusually sharp local
fighting. Tho tannery is big stone
affair, standing near an open roao
west Of Fismes. It 10 an ideal ma
chine aun nest and has been serving
as a Boche stronghold for machine
gun and rifle sniping.
Following a brisk artillery pom
bardment, the Americans left their
shallow holes and half ran, half crawl
ed across an open field and rushed
the tannery, driving the enemy out OF
It.
The Germans immediately counter
attacked and showed the Americans
out. The latter rushed back, thor
ouahly mauled the Boches and retook
the tannery. The performance was
repeated a second time, the soehes
suffering heavily In each counter at
tack. At the latest report, the Ameri-
cans were holding the place.
Meanwhile, the Germans attacked
Diable wood, where chateau sticks
out beyond the main American line.
The Americans received them with
heavy machine gun and rifle fire, In
fIlctina heavy casualties and taking
some prisoners. They then took up
their main positions along the Fismes
railroad. Prisoners said the battalion
involved in the attack was ordered to
advance as far as the Vesle.
After a brief breathing spell the
Americans counter attacked and drove
the Boches entirely from their hold
on our lines and re-establishing their
old positions north Of st. Thibaut ION
The south bank OF the vesle opposite
On the right wing Of the American
sectors the Americans made three 81
lent raids during the night, taking four
prisoners and gaining important iden-
LITIGATION information. The prisoners
said they now felt that Germany can
vim and that they will all fight to the
last man. One said he had hoped that
the war would end this year, but now
he supposed they would have to keep
on fighting until the Americans are
licked.
Documents recently captured by the
French show the German high COM
mand, owing to the shortage Of men,
10 bringing AIsatians and Lorrainlans
10 the west front. Company command
srs have been ordered to observe the
strictest rules Of punishment to pre-
vent assertions. The AIsatians and
are mixed with other
troops as further effort to control
the men thus forced to fight against
heir own people. It has been reveal
I'd that 10000 Of these soldiers par
.icipated in the mutiny Ia Belgium.
Six Bombs Hit Mark.
by Frank J. Taylor, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMIES
IN FRANCE, Aug 23.-(NighD-
American airmen dropped thirty-six
bombs on CONTAINS this morning. Six
direct hits were noted, five on the
northwestern portions of the railway
Yards and the other blowing up a
warehouse. All our machines
safely, despite battle with
German planes and terrific bonn
parchment from anttair craft guns.
The Americans scored ten direct hits
IN the railroad at Contains yesterday.
Lieutenant Louis Verdier, former
chief Of the Lafayette escadrille, has
oeen killed in action. He was cited
i've times and was a chevalier Of the
Legion of Honor His brother, Lieu
tenant Paul verdier, Of San Fran
cisco, now is in America on special
mission
General Pershing's Report.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24.-Success-
'ul bombing of Contains and reoccu-
patton of an American position tenn
porarily lost, was reported today by
General Pershing in his communique
or Friday.
"One of our outposts between
7ismes and Bazoches, which was
iriven back in a small local action
alter reoccupied its position" Perish
ng said
Our aviators successfully bombed
he railroad yards at Contains. All
,ur machines returned"
SOLDIER FALLS
rnNAH I'D I'M