New-York tribune., 1918-08-07
Unit Wiped Out by Ma
chine Guns in Attack
on Our Engineers
Sought to Prevent
Building of Bridge
Not a Man in Gray Leaves
Field After Charge on
Vesle Position
lBy The Associated Press)

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY ON
THE AISNE-MARNE FRONT, Aug. G.
American machine gunners. protecting
location on the Vesle west of Fismes,
wiped out an entire battalion of Ger
man infantrymen and machine gunners
to-day
The Germans at the time were get
ting into position to attack a group of
American bridge builders who were ap-
preaching the location.
Some bridge material already had
been moved near the south bank of the
Vesle and the Germans, apparently dis
covering this fact, had sent battalion
to hill position to prevent the Ameri-
cans from carrying out their plan.
detachment of crack American ma
chine gunners, however. previously had
taken an elevated position command
ing the location and opened fire when
the Germans appeared.
Observers reported that they did not
see single German get away from the
leaden hail and, according to the last
accounts, not even enemy stretchcr
bearers approached the scene.
No American Casualties
The Germans replied so feebly with
their fire, because of the surprise, that
there were no American casualties.
With their backs to the Aisne, the
Germans continued preparations to day
Tor what may be either stiff resist
ance to give them more time for fur
ther Withdrawal or for a definite stand.
Minor actions along the American por-
tion of the front and in the adjoining
French sectors marked the day.
The little force of men which was
sent into F'ismes still maintains its
foothold, although it is not yet across
the river, which flows through the cx-
treme northern portion of the town.
Under heavy barrage all their
wounded have been taken out, and dur
ing the night food was taken to them.
The Germans have been unremtting
in their efforts to dslodge the Amer-
cans, pounding the town with shells
and deluging it with gas.
Counter Attacks Fail
Numerous efforts have been made to
retake the position, but in every in
stance the accuracy of the American
fire, both of the supporting artillery
and the small arms of the infantry
within it, drove back the enemy.
To the east and west of Fismes the
have continued their recon
noissance work, patrols crossing the
river at different places. The detach-
ments, however, never exceeded more
than twenty men.
Near (town deleted) q few
men have remained, and another force
is on the hill over the river near
Fismes.
Reports received from the French
sectors indicate virtually the same
situation from scissors to Rheims.
Clearer weather resulted in more
aerial activity for few hours, but
the clouds rcappeared and the rain
again began to fall and the aircraft
WcIC lOiCCO " SOSpSiU OPcI dlIOUS
The Germans immediately seized the
opportunity of the few hours of good
weather to send ever planes for photo
graphic purposes and incidentally to
shoot up the Allied transport. These
planes in every case we're quickly
forced back by anti-arcraft guns.
Franco american planes also did some
observation work north of the Ncsle.
Engineers Ready to Advance
The engineers have mohilized equip
ment for their part of the advance,
and reports from far back of the line
indicate that all elements of the AL
lied forces Will be Immediately avail
able
From the German side observers have
reported wagon trains in large num-
bers moving over some of the roads
toward the rear. This is not construed
rs conclusive evidence that the Ger
mans still are engaged in the retreat
But this fact, and the further fact
that up to date the Germans have not
small and medium calibre guns, tends
to support the belief that the Grown
Prince really intends to make the
Aisne the objective of his line of re-
treat.
The present positions of the Ger
mans are excellent for defence, how
ever, and it is regarded as not i'm
probable that they will dig right in
there.
The few big guns which have been
used by the Germans are in positions
far back near the Aisne.
The clearing up of the big field of re-
treat has nettcd, in one half of the ter
ritory advanced over by the Americans
alone, fifteen tranloads Of ammunition
and general supplies.