Evening star., 1918-06-22
AMERICAN TROOPS
IMPROVE POSITIONS
In Action at Chateau Thierry.
Brisk Artillery Fighting
Goes On.
U. S. FLIERS MAKE RAID

Gen. Pershing's communique for yes
terday received here today reported I'M
provement of American positions north
west of Chateau Thierry. Brisk artil-
lery fighting in the Woevre. the Vosges
and in the Chateau Thierry region Is
noted.
The communique follows:
Section A-Northwest Of Chateau
Thierry we advanced our line and I'M
proved our positions. There. in the
woevre and in the yosges there was
brisk artillery fighting"
q. 8. Fliers Enter Germany.
PARIS. June 21.-According to La
Liberte, American aviators last Sunday
night carried out an aerial raid into
German territory. Eight Americans
bombed the Metz-Sablons railway and
started a large fire.
By the Associated Press.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, June 21-Just why the
formidable German. 2sth Division was
placed in front Of the American troops
northwest of Chateau Thlerry. and
also why a prize regiment OF that dlvi-
by a letter taken from prisoner.
The letter was written June 10 by
Grenadier I.andauer of the Grenadiers
Regiment 110 to his relatives in GER
many. 1t is Grenadier Landauer him.
self who is the prisoner and his letter
preston that the Americans have
made on the German emperor's best
troops. The letter reads:
"As far as my health is concerned, I
am faring well-and that is the most
important thing. We are again In the
front line, because the American dtvi-
sion opposite US has achieved some
success and we, as model DIVISION,
are. to make good this loss.
"At the present moment we are
living in reserve in a small wood
where we have made dugouts ana
furnished them with all sorts OF stun
from a nearby inn. OF course. we are
getting all sort Of knocks from the
enemy artillery, which. especially II
night, shoots accurately.
up to now, everything has gone
pretty well, but we hope to oe re-
lieved soon and get some rest. II
one has been for more than fourteen
days in this mix-up one has more
than sufficient"
Rush Without Artillery.
The American troops rushed the de-
sired positions held by the enemy In
Belleau wood without the customary
artillery preparation. The Germans
for tn most part took few shots
and then retired. One enemy lost
held it's ground and was quickly an
initiated.
To the east of Belleau wood thin
line of American skirmisherS ad-
vanced, firing as they went. and OBJ
tanned their objectives without diff
Guilty. All operations were carried
out as planned. AS a result the Amer
lean positions have been strengthened,
and we are better able to Withstand
an assault when it comes.
Rainbow Division Cited.
American troops forming the Rain
bow Division, on the completion OF
hundred days consecutive service on
ceived a document which Will be kept
by them as a valuable souvenir of the
war. 1t Is a citation by the French
general testifying to the good work
Of the division.
The citation renders homage to "the
fine military qualities which the d.
vision has continually exhibited and
to the services it has rendered in
this sector" and adds:
1.-THE spirit, method and discipline
shown by the officers and men proved
they can at first call take a glorious
place in the line of BATTLE.
Text Of Citation.
The substance of the citation fol-
lows:
"The general commanding the army
corps desires to do homage to the
fine military qualities which the Rain
bow Division of the United States
infantry continuously has exhibited
and to the services 1t has rendered
on this sector: it's offensive ardor.
sense for utilization and organization
of terrain as well as for liaison with
the French army The spirit, method
and discipline shown by the officers
and men proved they can at the nrst
call take a glorious place in the line
of battle.
I'VE are united in faithful memory
with the living and dead Of the divi-
sion. Those who after having nobly
sacrificed their lives on the soil Of the
east now rest there guarded over
piously by France. May our units,
side by side, valiantly triumph for
justice and right"
Fonck Presents Flag.
LYON, France. June 21-Lieut.
Rene Fonnk Of the French aerial
service today presented an aviation
gag to the American ayiators at Bron
field. A large number of troops from
the Italian, Greek, French and Ameri-
can armies attended the ceremony.
over the field while Under Secretary
of Cfafa for Aviation Dunn aSpf1 I'd.