Newport daily independent., 1918-08-09

of The Associated Press )=-One reg iment of negroes in the American Army (No. deietcd by censor.) has had it's baptism of fire on the fighting fields of France and ac- quilted itself so well that the French commander of the sector has cited the whole regiment as worthy of re- ceiving the war cross. This regi- ment's repulse of the enemy attack on the early morning of June 12 (possibly~ at Belleau Wood or Bour- esches) was briefly referred to in the official communique.
 A later and official report of the details and gives credit to the off cers and men for fine fighting quail ties displayed in their initial exper- fence under shell and machine gun fire. The French commander of that sector has given the regiment tthe highest possible commendatiton for the results accomplished and the splendid fighting spirit shown by the American negroes.
 For several days preceding the at tack there were evidences that the enemy was preparing to strike blow Two days before one of the main points held by the regiment had been subjected to strong bom- barment of nearly 100 shells, gas and shrapnel. Prior to the heavy enemy artillery harrage occurring on the morning of the 18th, our advance groups heard movements apparently of narrow guage tracks in the wood back of the enemy lines, indicating they were getting ready for an at tack.
 Every. preparation had been made for meeting the move if it came. Be- sides the usual combat groups at the main points of the line, special ma chine gun section occupied a spec ially chosen position on a small sa- Ii nt projecting into the enemy line. It was accompanied by combat group detailed from reserve compa- ny and carrying rifles and hand granades.
 It was 2:15 on the morning of the 18th that the order to stand to" was given and all combat groups and the machine gun section took their fight ing position. The enemy artillery now opened violent bombardmen1. engaging in a "box barrage" five of our main groups and the special ma chine gun position. The lines of this box barrage are well defined on the ground showing it's outer circuit, with a considerable scattering of hits inside. The shells were mostly ITS, with some 1858, gas, shrapnel and high explosives. One of our points received particular attention, probably by minenwerfer, the craters of which were two yards in depth and five yards in diameter The artillery :, bombardment was extremely violent at the start and tapered off gradu- ally until it stopped after thirty minutes.
 Meantime under cover of the ar tillery, the enemy infantry began it's operations, adopting the infiltering process by which detached groups are thrust forward at number of points instead of moving in mass for nation. One group came on with two light machine guns, firing ra- ther intense fire into one of our po- sitions. Another group was esti- mated to be about 25 or 30. At an other point on our front stationery enemy patrol took position, firing with two small machine guns. Now and then squads would dart forward from their gun positions. Eight Germans got up to the wire in front of one of our positions, and four others approached at another point Besides these assault groups which reach our line, there were undoubt- edly additional enemy forces in as saulting columns and supporting columns which were unable to enter ! the field.
 The special machine gun group under terrific artillery fire and the fire of two German machine guns I Lieutenant Shaw handled this very difficult situation with cool bravery The enemy barrage was so close that it was impossible to stand IF and Lieutenant Shaw controlled his guns by rolling from one to the other. His two guns fired five thousand rounds.
 I Under this violent onslaught the men struck to their posts, carried out every order without hesitation, of ten under galling fire, and showed high degree or skill with their wea-