The Washington times., 1918-04-11
ASSAULT MADE
in THICK MIST
but SAMM|ES
OUTRIGHT FOE

By BERT FORD,
International News Service Staff
CORRESPONDENT,

lntefnatlonal news service oSan
Correspondent.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
IN FRANCE, April 10 (6 p. m.)-
American troops on the front north
west, Of Toul today beat of the
heaviest attack yet delivered against
them when the American lines were
assaulted BY 800 "shock" soldiers
The enemy was completely routed
and suffered heavy losses.
It was the biggest operation in
which Americans had taken part and
was marked by terrific artillery fire.
The Germans were everywhere out
fought.
The action lasted two hours and
was prefaeed and followed by the
heaviest artillery exchanges in Vhich
American artillery had yet taken
part.
Gallant Defense.
The Americans in the front line
trenches fought with the utmost gal
Iantry and refused to yield q single
food OF ground.
The attack was delivered early In
. the morning. under cover of a heavy
bsrrage fre; and the Germans were
favored by a thick mist which ham,
: pered observation.
The Germans advanced In mass for
nation, but were moved down by the
fre from the Americans rides and
: machine guns
When day dawned a number OF
bodies could be seen lying in 'nv
mans land" Two wounded Germans
were captured. One died from his
wounds and the other 10 in a field
hospital in critical condition. He had
been shot through the eye.
The action followed a number of
, minor raids directed at a point where
German prisoners were captured on
Saturday.
First Real Test.
The fight was the first real test oil
the American infantry. and the Yam
KEGS proved more than a match for
the enemy In every branch of the
service engaged. The attacking bri-
gade was made up of crack Scoops
that had been picked for an effort
20 break the American lines.
The signal to the American gun
ners for q counter barrage, when the
attack commenced. was answered SO
quickly that the enemy's strategy
was upset, and the shells that pIow-
ed through the advanced ranks did
grea& execution.
DTring the night the enemy's guns
hnA rrrf fhA NutFa anfan0lananfR hnf
wAen the Teutons advanced to the
attack they met with sitter resist
Ance from the Americans than they
had anticipated.
Bonbarded All Night.
Throughout. the entire night the
sectors defended by the Americans
had been bombarded with gas shells
and high explosives from German
guns OF all calibers.
The fortitude displayed by the
American soldiers won the praise OF
their commanding officers and French
army experts. The spirit of the men
was SO high after the German at
tack that they wanted to pursue the
enemy.
It now develops that one of the
German prisoners captured by the
Americans last Saturday was SER
Eeant who had won the iron cross.
Organization OF American forces
abroad into complete armies probably
will not be attempted until autumn
Meanwhile the plan adopted by Secre-
fary OF War Baker. which provides for
amalgAmating American divisions with
British and French armies will be car
ried out as rapidly as possible.
This will greatly simplify the ship
ment OF supplies, military officials ex-
planned today. and increase correspond
ingly the number OF vessels that can be
utilized for troop transports. All move
ments Of supplies overseas to the