Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-08-07
Hope by Making Stand to Gain
Time in Which to Organize
PoSitioni Further Withdraw
al Not Believed Imminent
AMERICANS WITHSTAND
ONSLAUGHT AT FISMES
Yankee Machine GunnerS An
initiate Entire Battalion Of
Foe When They Attempt to
Shell Bridge Builders,

tHf AoRhihd JouRNel SPECIAL lGAsEo NtHEl
With the American Army on the
Aisne- Marne Front Aug. s (by the
Associated Press) With their backs
to the Aisne the Germans continued
preparation today for what may be
either stiff resistance for more time
for further withdrawal or for a def
mite stand, Minor actions along the
American portion of the front and in
the adjoining French sectors marked
the day
The little force of men who were
sent into Fismes still maintain their
foothold although they are not yet
across the river which flows through
the extreme north sportion of the
town.
Under heavy barrage all their
wounded have been taken out and
during the night food was taken to
them.
German Battalion Killed.
American machine gunners, pro-
tecting a location on the Vesle. west
of Fismes. wiped out an entire bat
TALON of German infantrymen and
machine gunners today. The Germans
at the time We're getting into position
to attack group of American bridge
builders who were approaching the
location.
Some bridge material had been
moved near the south bank of the
Vesle and the Germans. discovering it,
had sent battalion to a hill position
to prevent the Americans carrying out
their plan, A detachment of crack
American machine gunners had taken
an elevated position commanding the
location and open fire when the Ger
mans appeared
None Seen TO Escape.
Observers reported that they did
not see a single German get away
from the leaden hail and. according
to the last accounts not even enemy
stretcher bearers approached tho
scene. The Germans replied so feebly
with their fire that there were no
American casualties.
The Germans have been unremitting
in their efforts to dislodge the Amer
leans. Numerous efforts have been
made to retake the position, but the
accuracy of the American fire. both
of the supporting artillery and the
small arms of the infantry within it,
drove back the enemy
Patrols Cross River.
East and west of Fismes the Ameri
cans have continued their reconnais
sance work, patrols crossing the river
at different places. The detachments,
however, never exceeded more than
twenty men. Near (Iown deleted) a
few men have remained and another
force is on the hill over the river near
FTismes
Reports received from the French
sectors indicate virtually the same
situation from scissors to Rheims.
Rain HaIts Air Activity
Clearer weather resulted in more
aerial activity for a few hours, but
the rain again began and the aircraft
were forced to suspend operations.
The Germans Immediately seized the
opportunity to send planes for photo
graphic purposes and incidentally to
shoot up the allied transport.
Franco American planes also did
some observation work north of the
Nesle.
The engineers have modified
equipment for their part of the ad-
vance, and reports from far back of
the line indicate that all elements of
the allied forces will be Immediately
available
Aisne Believed Objective.
From the German side observers
have reported wagon trains in large
numbers moving over some of the.
roads toward the rear. This is not
construed as conclusive evidence that
the Germans still are in retreat. But
this fact and the further fact that
the Germans have not used at all ex-
tensively any but their small and me-
dunn calibre guns tends to support
the belief that the crown prince real
ly intends to make the Asne the OBJ
jective of his retreat.
Excellent Defense Possible.
The present positions of the Ger
mans are excellent for defense how
ever.
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
retreat has netted in one half tho
territory advanced over by the Amer
leans alone fifteen train loads of am
munition and general supplies.
italian EditOra E'pfpd.