The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-06-05
THOUSAND HUNS
KILLED BY AMERICANS
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KILLED BY AMEklCANS
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garded as the initial objective in an
American offensive IN LoTraine-j
Dramatic Moment Of War.
fEF Fred S. Ferguson, United Press
STAFF Correspondent
WITH THE AMERICANS ON THE
MARINE. JEne 5-Americans fighting
the Germans on the Marne furnished
the most dramatic moment Of the way
since General Gallieniis -'taxicao
army saved Paris. Rushed from a
distant area under French command
TO Chatezr-Thierry they did work On
the battle line at that point that is
surpassed in history only by the ex-
ploit of Gailieni's troops
Americans now confronting Ger
mans along the Marine al the point OF
the farthest advance toward Paris,
and who drove back the enemy after
The river had been crossed. received
half an hours notice TO start for the
critical spot Railroad trains. auto
mobile trucks, French camions and
every possible vehicle was pressed in
&c service and speeded Of, loaded with
Americans. having the fun right OF
way over all roads They arrived al
the battle line at night and we're fight
ing In the morning
soon after the Americans arrived
the enemy attacked
Our troops which Included marines,
we're in the reserve The marines then
took up the fight IT was close open
field warfare American fighting
Drawn was matched against that OF
the Germans in q short, bitter strug-
gle which the Yankees Won The
Poche has renewed his attacks but
the line still holds.
The French are heaping the highest
praise upon Americans. They are
proud Of their stand Al the Marne,
where civilization was saved by turn
ing back the Germans in 1914 and
where the foe must again be thrown
back.
All the country near where the
Americans are located speaks the
tragedy OF the beautiful Marne valley
and Of France American infantry
lies under cover Of wavi1g fields OF
green grain, torn up by shell IRE and
amidst other fields and orchards the
American artillery hurls shells al the
Huns
Behind the rear lines the villages
are deserted Only stray dogs and
cats and the oldest enfeebled men and
women who were unable to flee with
the younger inhabitants. or who re-
fused to leave their homes, are visible
in these places. Roses which bloom
in profusion over houses. almost hid
ing them, and bIossoming flower gar
Gens everywhere are unseen except
by dusty. sweating men who. fight
ing against odds, have driven OF the
invader.
The number of divisions facing the
Americans lis tdeletedl.
From the first enemy assault until
that Of Monday night when the repulse
was followed by a successful counter
attack the Americans bore themselves
ike veterans Prisoners were captur-
ed in Monday nights fighting which
extended back into village where
fierce hand TO hand struggles between
American boys and helmeted Germans
resulted in the ousting OF the Huns
There were three strong enemy at
tacks preceding this, all Of which were
repulsed-
bank of the Marine, the Boches en-
countered American machine gunners.
They lay cody at their guns while the
Germans came on, then opened up
and riddled the enemy ranks, throw
Ing them into complete confusion.
At another spot, our machine gun
ners wiped out the Boche machine gun
units. sweeping them with an enfilad-
ing fire. The lines swayed back and
forth during the first two days the
Americans were on the job. then be-
gan TO settle down. but they still vary
a hundred yards or so daily.
Fighting is 80 open and the lines
are so indefinite that IL is necessary
for the infantry commanders 10 signal
their positions to the ayiators as they
maneuver in the open While Amerf-
can ayiators are doing their share in
the defense of Paris American obsery-
ers accompanying French pilots are
attached to the artillery guarding the
threatened road TO the capital
Strange conditions prevail over the
whole front. There is one No Man $
village near Chateau-Thierry where
there has been fighting all around, but
the village stands unoccupied and un-
assaiIed. American patrols entered
the deserted town and the beautiful
cha-eaus which stand in No Mans vii
lase and there they found evidence OF
basty flight. Coats and hats were
hanging in the halls and dresses were
placed as though just about to be
donned.
Meanwhile the greatest battle in his
tory RACES all about. American snip
ers pick OF Boche accommodating
parties and at night artillery reddens