The sun., 1918-07-10
PERSHING REPORTS
LIGHT SKIRMISHES|
Exchange Of Artillery Fire Is
Principal Feature on
U. s. Front.
GERMAN TRAFFIC HEAVY
Movement in Back Areas Is
Shown by Flaring
Night Signals.

WARRINGTON, July S.-ten. fershfnk
communique for Monday. received to-
day. follows:
Section A-There have been no fresh
developments at the points occupied by
our troops
Section BIN The sector occupied by
our troops In Picardy there was some
brisk artillery fighting July 4 TO g. Our
batteries shelled rAlvai Wood with gas
early IN the night and the enemy re-
taliated by firing on our front lines
from the Fontaine Wood to Grivesnes
and on some of our positions in the rear.
The German artillery was particularly
active between 10 =. NJ. and midnight.
but II was noted that their FIRE slackened
or ceased whenever our artillery started
counter preparation. Most Of the Ger
man shells fell on the north OF our
sector
The enemy's trench mortars frequently
came into action just prior to the COM
mencement of concentrated fire by his
artillery. His ma chine guns delivered
heavy bursts OF Are in the morning on
the right of our sector.
His airplanes were not usually active,
except in the dropping of bombs. a small
number of which fell on our positions
before daybreak. At two points In the
German rear areas Are, smoke and ex-
plosions indicated the destruction OF Ger
man ammunition dumps.
In the Marine sector, which our
troops are holding the activity of the
German aerial. forces was the most sig
nificant feature OF July to s. There
was a slight increase in the artillery FIRE.
but II is still much less than ours and
not of great volume. Most Of the shells
used were OF small and medium calibre
The fire was for harassing and destruc-
tive purposes.
About half of the machine gun fire
was directed against our planes. The
enemy's air forces were entirely abnor-
NAL I'm their activity, some group
flights being observed in which eight and
ten planes participated.
Tramc in German Rear.
There was an increase In the move
ment Of traffic in the rear areas. Dur
ing the entire night white and green
flares were seen. These and rockets
were In larger numbers than usual Two
searchlights played internationally from
one part Of the enemys sector. In this
same sector conditions July and
were in all respects so normal as to Of
fer nothing of interest.
In the Colmar sector July 8 activity OF
the German artillery showed some in
crease on portions of our front, but did
not become notably heavy at any point.
His airplanes also distributed their ac-
tivity over the sector, dropping a few
bombs at one point. More German pa
trolls than usual were observed. one
throwing a few grenades at our posi-
tons and another cutting some OF our
wire. During the night the German po-
sitions were lighted up to a greater ex-
10, ,,t,.
Of red and white flares. All along our
front our own patrols reconnoitred the
hostile positions. but In spite Of their
number and activity encountered no en-
envy parties and drew no enemy fire.
Release Propaganda Balloons.
In the Mulhouse sector July Ger
man airplanes showed an activity which
is unusual in this region. They circled
constantly over their advanced positions
and sometimes over ours. Our anti-air-
craft batteries and a number of allied
planes drove them back on numerous &C.
casions. The enemy's artillery was
slight and widely distributed Behind
the German lines. in addition to the
movements of pedestrians. horsemen and
vehicles. a considerable number OF In
fantry in a body was observed on the
murch during the afternoon. A number
Of small balloons. probably containing
propaganda. were sent up.
In Lorraine July to nothing ex-
cept the activities OF our own patrols
called for especial mention. Our pa
trolling parties did much valuable re-
connaissance work in inspecting the en-
emy's defence positions and returned
safely. although one OF them came under
the enemys fire. Artillery fighting was
very moderate. our batteries showing
much greater activity than those of the
enemy. Our aHti-aircraft guns brought
down a German plane in the region OF
La Chappelle. Both pilot and observer
were killed The German machine guns
were somewhat more active than usual.
In a sector in the Vosges recently oc-
cupied by our troops conditions were
normal July 8. During the preceding
night German troops made two small
attacks. which were easily repulsed. The
German artillery scattered its fire over
the sector using guns OF small and oc-
casionally of medium calibre The
ordinary number OF German airplanes
and balloons performed their customary
duties. During the day red message bal
looms were seen over the German lines
and at night flares and rockets of the
customary sort Our patrols performed
their usual duties without incident