The Delta independent., 1918-07-19

the enemy been able TO cut through.
In the fighting east of Rheims many
german tanks we're completely wreck
ed by French and American artillery.
GERMAN. PRISONERS TAKEN
BY FRENCH TROOPS
Paris. July 1G-The infantry action
on ths new Champagne front has com
pletely yiied down during the night.
and the germans have so far failed
TO attempt a renewal OF the attack
Fierce fighting extended far into the
evening especially around Chateau
Thierry' and Rheims, where the united
French and American troops put up a
magnificent resistance. One thousand
germans suffered heaviest loss in the
germans suffered heaviest losses the
region OF Chataliou sur Marne. where
the Franco-American forces heavily
counter attacked the enemy several
times.
alties reported by General Pershing
total 1902. Marine casualties. IS: in
cluding Private c. Il. Duclo of Cas-
cade. Colo. killed in action.
By Fred Ferguson. Staff CORRESPOND
cnt OF the United Press
With the Americans on the Marne.
The Americans having thrown the
germans back across the Marne. are
now aiding the French to clear the
south bank farther eastward The
Americans operating alone cleared the
south bank from Mezy to Jaulgonne.
on a twomile front Cooperating
with the French. the Americans par
TALLY cleared conde wood and retook
FIN 23l and village OF La Chappeile-
Monthodon.
One American platoon which hid in
cellar In Mezy while the german
waves passed, held out BY fighting
desperately and inflicted heavy losses
Then when the Americans counter at.
tackled. what was left OF the platoon
rcjoined the mnin forces.
Another battalion attempting flank
= large german force during the at.
tack was surrounded and ordered TO
surrender The Americans replied
with yolley and then bayoneted their
way through the germans
Paris. p. m. July Ia a whole.
the german drive is costly failure so
far. The situation I'm the Champagne
section Is autroritatively pronounced
excellent this afternoon. The enemy
"a generally held everywhere. Moro
hard fighting IS expected. but Il Is
thought that the germans can not CON
time long The germans attacked
the American forces at Prunay five
times unsucoessfully. The Eermang
ar evidently trying TO pinch Rheims
off of the allied line while their right
wing is trying TO hold the meager
gains on the Marnc tablelands. The
battle continues only where the ger
mans are trying to improve the ad-
vantages gained in the first rush. The
german claim of 1900 allied prison.
ers Is gross exaggeratlon.
AM ERicAN AviAToRs-
HAVE BIG DAY
with the American Forces on tho
Marine. July 1.-THE greatest day I'm
the history of American aviation clos.
ed last night when our eagles winged
their way homeward after downing ak
boche planes and an observation bal.
Ion. They also strafed the roads near
the german lines. photographer the
enemy positions, and directed the ar.
tillery fire and infantry movements.
Lieutenant J Il. Stevens descended
to within 500 feet OF a german battery
moving along the road and forced the
crew to flee, ditching the caissons.
Lieutenant Francis Simmons down.
ed two germans In a single fight. Lien.
tenant George Robertson downed HIS
german and returned with II bullet
holes In his machine. Lieutenant
Thomas Alternately chased n german
until ne crashed to the ground. While
returning, six german machines ut
.scRed Abernathy. hut he escaped
mn u<.vs l~s<. a..