New-York tribune., 1918-03-27
Richecourt, North of Xiv
ray, Abandoned, Patrols
Discover
Enemy Trenches
Deluged With Gas
Stream of Shells Hurled
Against Germans in
Toul Sector
nv The Associated press1

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, March 26.-The American ar
tillery continues t. heavily shell towns
held by the Germans and German bat
teries opposite the Toul sector, with
gas. The Germans themselves have
reciprocated in kind, but the doses of
gas sent against them by the Ameri-
cans have been twice as large as the
latter have received.
The town Of Richecourt, north OF
Xvray, one of the targets of the
Americans, has been abandoned, SO far
as American patrols which recon
noitred near the town were able to de-
termine.
The American artillery also is keep
ing up stream of other shells on
enemy positions in this region.
Foes Trenches LevelIed
St. Baussant, northeast Of Richie
court, has been heavily shelled with
high explosive projectiles, while Ger
man first line trenches repeatedly have
been hit and levelled and enemy dug
outs and snipers' posts completely
silenced.
Fritz" or Billy Boche,' as the
American doughboys are beginning to
call the Germans. is persistent sniper
on this sector. AS fast as the Ameri-
cans silence one nest another starts the
annoyance, and then the job has to be
done all over again.
Wipe Out Snipers' Nest
This forenoon a group of American
snpers discovered an enemy nest close
by and promptly opened fire on 1t. The
Germans replied with their rifles, and
then fired about three dozen or sc
grenades. Apparently the Germans had
come to stay, and did not intend to be
chased out. One Of the American 81
millimetre gun teams then got into &C
tion against the nest, and owing to its
accurate fire no more Germans were
seen at this particular point and there
was no further annoyance.
A number of these same little guns
obtained direct hits in enemy commu-
nicating trenches while men, possibly
officers, were passing through them
and also fired effectively, as did snipers,
on parties of Germans who were
dressed in light and dark blue uni
forms. the first time these uniforms
were seen on this front. One of the
American sharpshooters reported that
he had spoiled a number of these new
spring suits" by knocking the wear
ers into the mud with bullets from his
Springfield.
Anti-Aircraft Guns Busy
Normal aerial activity continued to-
day. the weather being favorable until
late in the afternoon, when clouds and
light snow flurries passed over the line.
One enemy plane flew low over one of
the American positions, doing photo
graphic work. The American anti-air-
craft gunners had a number of chances
during the day TO show their skill, and
this they did. They drove off enemy
armen who attempted singly or in
groups to prowl over the line.
There were several aerial cOmbats
between planes carrying American OBJ
servers at the guns, but these were
without result, probably because the
airmen were unable to get close enough
to the Germans.
Overcoats which had been discard ed
since last week were found to be ex-
ceedingly comfortable again tonight
as frigid wind blew in from the
northeast
[By The Associated Pressl
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMIES IN
FRANCE, March 26.--Two men of an
American patrol, while inspecting en-
emy trenches in the Toul sector early
this morning, encountered fifteen oi
the enemy, and Immediately opened
fire with their rifles They also USED
grenades, and, after few minutes
managed to get away safely, taking
turns at covering each others retreat
They got back to the American lines
without a scratch, but it is known that
three Germans were killed anu Others
were wounded.
Two encounters are reported be-
tween American recommending patrols
and new enemy listening posts.
by The Associated Pressl
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, Monday, March 25.-The
American positions on a certain part
of the ToGl front were bombarded with
mustard gas shells at the rate of six
a minute last night. but ineffectively
The American artillery replied with
a heavy fire and demolished segments
of the German front lines and other
points
A German airplanc flew over the
American lines during the night and
dropped she'll, which did not explode
but dug deep hole. AT noon to-day
French airplane brought down Ger