New Britain herald., 1918-02-04
CHIP ON SHOULDER
Of ENEMY GUNNERS
SOON KNOCKED OFF
Prussian ArtilleriSts, Spelling for
Fight, Find Americans Willing
to Test Strength and Aim
STORM OF SHELLS REPLY
TO SIGNAL FOR ATTACK


Red Rocket, Ascending From Ger
man First lime and Calling For
Barrage, Finds Uncle San1's Men
Prepared For Nnx-Up-Heavy
Mists Prevent Resumption of En-
gagement-ItaIian Heroes Fetes.
With the American Army in
France, Feb. 8, (By The Associated
Press)-American officers are elated
over the results of the first artillery
duel between American and German
gunners, which followed a preinntn-
ary shelling by the Germans Saturday
evening. In official reports to the
headquarters of their organizations
the infantry commanders today paid
tribute to the promptness with which
the artillery responded to the call for
a barrage and to the effectiveness of
the artillery fire.
Aerial reconnaissances today
showed Ln6 A1nSTtCdn has IItu
q very destructive effect.
1t is known at least three enemy
dugouts were demolished, probably
with some casualties.
In a regimental headquarters will
age sheIled by the enemy, many
buildings were wrecked completely
or in part. There were no casualties
among the officers. The whistling Of
hi oil i,er Nf
the coming bombardments and off,
GERS and men sought shelter in the
dugouts. The bombardments of the
headquarters village came at the end
of a period of sheIling which had ex-
tended gradually along several kilo-
meters of the front.
The German artillery opened the
engagement with desultory bonn
baFdment of the American trenches
at certain point, firing many shrap-
mel shells. In the midst of this a
red rocket, calling for q barrage,
assembled from the German first lines,
Before the German artillery could
respond, the American 75s summoned
into action by a. signal from the first
line, laid a curtain of fire along the
enemy fire lines. Then began the
battle of the gunners. The increased
intensity of German fire was met i'm
mediately by the Americans who not
only showered shells on the original
sector, but quickly extended their ac-
tivity to a wide front
Within 20 minutes the 75s and lar
ger pieces were booming all along the
valley, the shelling finally spreading
to town in which regimental head
quarters was located. AS darkness
settled down the guns became quiet
Heavy mists again overhung the
American sector today. Consequently.
there was little artillery work and no
aerial activity.
italian Headquarters Northern Italy
Feb. 8, (By the Associated Press)-
The Sassari brigade Of young Sardin-
tans, which distinguished itself by cut
,ting it's way up the Col di Rosso last
Tuesday, came out of the trenches to-
day.
It was an event which stirred the
nefghboring country and the peasan-
try, with children and babies, came
from SO miles around to see these
young heroes. The city was gay with
flags the walls were covered with
posters Hail, Sassari heroes and
the route Of their march.
The brigade marched 20 miles from
it's trenches and it was an inspiring
sight as the boytsh-loohng soldiers
came down the road. Their helmets
and uniforms were still splashed with
the mud of the big fight, but they
marched proudly and appeared happy
over the enthusiastic tribute.
BTfgadier Cen Ferrigo, command
er Of the brigade, marched at the
head with a group Of wounded off,
GERS with heads bandaged and arms in
sings. Then came the machine gun
sections and the long ranks of sturdy
youths. One regiment was command
ed by major who took the place Of
the colonel who was killed In Tues
days fight. A squadron of atrplanes
hovered overhead, scattering confetti
on the vietors.
General Pecori Giraidi commander
Of the First army, was at the head of
the reviewing party. He was accom-
panied by officers of the Allied staffs,
high government and municipal off,
cial and representatives of civil organ
izations, while the thoroughfares were
, thronged with cheering people,
BeiglanS silence ENEMY batteries.
Paris, Feb. 4-The Belgian official
statement on military operations is
sued last midnight reads:
During the last two days our artil-
iery has silenced several enemy bat
teries and captured outfits of destruc-
tion and reprisaI against enemy or
CARNATIONS and defenses in reply to
artillery fire and bomb firing before
Dixmude. An enemy aviator was
Continued On Ninth Page).