The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-08-22
AMERICANS WIPE
OUT A BATTALION
Machine Gunners Caught Huns
by Surprise While Prepar-
ing for an Attack.
PREPARE FOR STAND ON AISNE
Huns Getting Ready To Offer Battle
On South Bank Of RiYer-EioId
Fishes.

With the American Army on the
Aisne-Marne Front, Aug. 7.-American
machine gunneFs, protecting a-Ioca-
ton of the Vesle west OF Fismes, wip-
ed out an entire battalion of German
infantrymen and machine gunners to-
day. The Germans, at this time, were
getting into position to attack a group
of American bridge builders, who were
approaching the location.
Not One German Escaped.
Some bridge material already had
been moved near the south bank of
the Vesle and the Germans, apparently
discovering this fact, had sent batta-
lion to a hill position to prevent the
Americans carrying out their plan A
detachment Of crack American ma
chine gUnners, however, previously
had taken an elevated position COM
handing the location and opened fire
when the Germans appeared.
Observers reported that they did not
see a single German get away from
the Ieaden hail, and, according to the
last accounts, not even enemy stretch
er bearers approached the scene. The
Grmans replied so feebly with their
fire, because of the surprise, that
there were no American casualties.
Foe Defense Stiffens.
With their backs to the Aisne the
Germans continued preparations to-
day for what may be either q stiff re-
sistance to give them more time for
further withdrawal, or for a definite
stand. Minor actions along the Amer
A..
adjoining French sectors marked the
day
Hold Tight to Fismes.
The little force of men who were
sent into Fismes still maintain their
foothold although they are not yet
across the river, which flows through
the extreme north portion of the
town
Under q heavy barrage all their
wounded have been taken out, and
during the night food was taken TO
them.
Our Patrols Cross VesIe.
To the east and west of Fismes the
Americans have continued their re-
connaissance work, patrols crossing
the river at different places. The de-
tachments, however, never exceeded
more than twenty men.
Near (town deIeted) a few men
have remained and another force is
on the hill over the river near Fis-
mes.
Clearer weather resulted in more
aerial activity for a few hours, but the
clouds reappeared and the rain again
began to fall and the aircraft were
70
Americans Cross VesIe.
Washington, Aug 6.-The main
bodies Of the enemy army continue to
make their way toward the Aisne to
the north Of which stream they hope
somewhere to reach a haven of safety
from the persistent onslaughts of the
American, French, British and Italian
troops, who in less than three weeks
have all but bIotted out the Scissors
Reims salient.
Notwithstanding the bringing into
play by the enemy of large numbers
of machine guns and artillery OF
heavier caliber, the employment OF
large numbers of picked troops, in
Guiding the well tried Prussian
guards, and the Bavarians; and in
spite Of the fact that the rains have
sent the Vesle out of bounds, and
turned the lowlaads into Quagmires,
the Americans and the other Allied
troops have. forced crossings of the
river at a number of new points and
on the north side Of the stream are
engaging the enemy.
French Report IL Modest.
The latest French official communi-
cation, which recently has been ex-
tremeIy modest in chronicling gains
made by the Allies, says Monday saw
only local engagements and that the
situation on the battle front is with
out change
Foe Loss Is Big
Correspondents with the Allied head
quarters, however, assert that at sew
era1 points between Sermoise, which
lies to the east Of scissors and
Fismes, and between Fismes and Mui-
zon, the French and Americans have
taken further ground across the Vesle
and have nullified German counter at
tacks delivered in an endeaTor to re-
coup their losses. Between Muizon
and Champigny the Prussian guard
and the BaTarians again suffered cas-
uaities in their efforts to hold back