Evening star., 1918-06-05

urday morning. These were the troops
which repulsed the enemy forces
which attempted to cross the Marine
river.
The machine gunners were sta
toned within a certain town and be-
gan operations by poking the muz-
zles of their weapons through broken
walls bushes and holes knocked in
the side of houses. The guns were
skillfully. hidden and the Germans
were unable to locate them. The
Germans shelled the town heavily
and the Americans took positions ac-
cordinely. Later the enemy entered the
outskirts, only to be pounded by the
allied artillery.
Confident Line Will Hold.
The correspondent today went over
the battle area and interviewed many
of the American and French soldiers.
They are in excellent spirits and con-
though the worst probably is yet to
come, as the Germans have not been
able to bring up much heavy artil-
1ery. Until then probably the outcome
cannot be determined
The battle is raging over a hiily
country where crops are growing and
there are no prepared trenches. When
the Americans entered the line the
fighting was shifting back and forth
like seething maelstrom. The
Americans dug in, and they went at
is like experienced hands. one OF the
American officers said:
The Germans are now learning
that the Americans are as resource
the Americans because they can dig
in. with one hand and fight with the
other and smile at the same time"
Guard Civilians Homes.
In villages along the Marne the
Americans are aiding the French in
guarding homes of the civilians who
Were driven out by the enemy she'll
ing by day and bombing by night.
Many of these hitherto peaceful viii
lagos are almost deserted
The battle area presented a peculiar
and impressive picture this morning.
The correspondent had motored all
night in the rear of the front, where
the low rumble of guns was followed
by flashes along the battle line and
shrapnel bursting against a starry
sky which teemed with enemy air
planes. There was lull at dawn and
the clouds melted into silve-y patches.
The rays of the sun shone upon the
battlefield, where for a moment it
might have been imagined the hell by
night had been turned into peace by
day.
Worthy Achievement.
LONDON. June 5.-The part played
by American machine gunners in the
defense of the Chateau Thierry
bridges is classed by Reuters corre-
spondent at French headquarters as
worthy to stand with the achieve
ments of the American infantry re-
Gently at Cantigny. Telegraphing
under date of Monday the correspond
ent writes:
"on Friday, when the Germans
were already in the outskirts of
Chateau Thierry an American machine
gun unit was hurried thither in motor
lorries. The Americans had scarcely
reached their quarters when news
was received that the Germans had
broken into the northern part of
Chateau Thierry. having made their
way through the gap driven in our
lines to the left of the town and then
pouring along the streets to the
bridge, intending to establish them
selves firmly on the south bank and
capture the town.
Work With Colonials.
THE American machine gunners
and French colonials were thrown
into Chateau Thierry together. The
Americans Immediately took over the
defense of the river bank, especially
the approaches to the bridge. Fight
ing with their habitual courage and
using their guns with an accuracy
which won the highest encomiums
from the French. they brought the
enemy to a standstill.
ALREADY wavering under the Ameri-
can FIRE. the Germans were counter
attacked by the French colonials and
driven from the town. They returned
to the attack the next night and un-
der cover of darkness crept into the
town along the river bank and be-
- nrl hnt a..
streets toward the main bridge. At
the same moment a tremendous ar
tLlery bombardment was opened
upon the southern half of the town.
Germans Get Surprise.
when within range of the machine
guns the Germans advanced under
cover Of clouds Of thick white smoke
from smoke bombs. in order to battle
the aim Of the American gunners. Al
surprise, however, was in store for
them. They were already crossing the
bridge, evidently believing themselves
derous explosion blew the center Of
the bridge and a number of Germans
with 1t into the river. Those who
reached the southern bank were inn
mediately captured
In this battle in the streets and
again at night the young American
soldiers showed a courage and deter
mination which aroused the admira-
tion of their French colonial com
rades- With their machine guns thew
covered the withdrawal OF troops
across the bridge before its destruc-
ton, and although under severe Are
themselves, kept all the approaches
70 the bank under rain Of bullets
which nullifed all the subsequent eff.
1orts OF the enemy to cross the river.
Every attempt Of the Germans 70
elude the vigilance Of the Americans
resulted In disaster to them
One Of First Feats Of War
During the last two days the enerv
mas renounced the occupation of tba
northern part of Chateau Tbierrv
which the American machine guns
nave made untenable. 1t now belon1s
70 no mans land. as since the destruc-
ton Of the bridges IL is NOT worth
while Tor the French to garrison il
Against their casualties the Amer
leans can set much greater loss in
nicted by their bullets on the enemy
They have borne their full mart IN
wnat French STAFF officer well quail
neo 70 judge described as one of the
nneet feats of the war;"
Jump Into Fighting.
By the Associated Press
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY m
PlCARDY. June 4.-Amertcan troons
began to arrive on the battle front on
Saturday and participated in the fieht-
Ing almost Immediately Thew no+
only repulsed the Germans ar eyerv
point at Which they were engaged bnt