Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1918-07-18


the south bank Of the Marine, hurting
the Germans from their last defensive
positions along the railway embank-
ment'
In q magnificent cOunter-attack the
American troops hurled the Germans
back across the Marine in the curve in
the river west and southwest of Jaul-
come.
1900 Prisoners Captured.
The prisoners taken by the Ameri-
cans total more than 1000. They in
clude a complete brigade staff.
American airplanes and artillery de-
strOyed the pOntOOns in the Marine, cut
ting off the Germans supplies and re-
endorsements.
Late in the afternoon 1t was discov-
cred that the Germans had emplaced
submerged bridges several inches be-
stream.
These underwater bridges had re-
manned undetected until the crossings
began. Aerial observers, infantrymen
and engineers then We'd with each
other in volunteering to destroy them.
Machine Guns Slaughter Foe.
American machine guns at strong
points along the river bank put up a
heroic resistance, Strengthening the enc
my masses, and absolutely preventing
-(deleted by censOr)-divisiOn from
crossing the stream near Chateau
Thierry.
Five German airplanes painted with
the American insignia shot up an
American observation balloon. Ameri-
can airplanes and anti-aircraft artillery
did not modest the masqueraders think
ing them comrades. The American bal
doom observers leaped out in para
chutes. They escaped injury.
Disaster, dealt by Americans, over
took the Germans on the Marine toward
the end Of the first day of their 80
mile drive, launched at dawn between
Chateau Thierry and Massiges.
The Americans hurled the Germans
back three kilOmeters Gone and seven
eighths miles), on front Of seven kilo-
meters four and three lights miles).
Germans Are Routed.
The strong American counter attack
south of the Marine river bend COM
pletely upset the Germans, who broke
i'm retreat. s.
The American troops drove the enc
my back all the way to the railway
Szirting the Marine, in the region south
west of Jaulgonne This position now is
being held.
The French general commanding the
group of armies on this sector sent a
cOngratulatory message TO the Ameri-
can general commanding the forces
which beat back the enemy.
Americans Heavily ShelIed.
AT five o'clock Monday night the
Germans were heavily Smelling the
American forces, but were getting
shell for shell in return, and their fire
seemed to be diminishing.
American machine gunnerS along
the river assisted materially in break
ing up the Boche plans, for they
stuck to their posts and poured deadly
streams of bullets into the enemy and
only withdrew when their guns were
so hot they could not be fired.
One group Of machine gunners hap
pened to be in place where the Ger
mans were anxious to erect bridge,
but their efforts were fruitleSS
The American bullets piled up the
German dead on the opposite side of
the river every time the enemy started
to cross.
No Match for Americans.
The correspondent talked with some
American soldiers now in hospital, who
were in the thick of the fighting. They
were in complete agreement that the
German infantry was no match for the
American.
This evidenced by the reports
from all the American hospitals, there
being only a few cases Of wounds from
rifle and machine gun fire, while most
tof the men are suffering from Shrapnel
wounds. Some of these cases are Seri-
Gus.
Used Smoke Screen.
South OF JaulgOnne the enemy
crossed the Marine in the morning on
six pontoon bridges hurriedly thrown
over the stream and masses of infan-
try swarmed forward. The artillery
constantly had the bridges under the
heaviest fire and at least two direct
hits were made, two of the bridges be-
ing blown up.
After sharp artillery work, German
troops advanced behind great smoke
cloud, which completely obscured them
for time from view. The low WISH
bility also aided the enemy in his OPP
erationS.
Reports from Vaux indicate that the
Americans had advanced their line in