Evening journal., 1918-07-10
PERSH|kC REPORTS
LIGHT SKIRMEHES
Exchange of Artillery Fire
is Principal Feature on
u. S. Front
GERMAN TRAFFIC
REPORTED HEAVY


shings's communiquo for Monday, n
ceived yesterday follows;
Section A-Thero have been no fres
developments at ;he points occupied b
orr troops.
Section BIN the SECTOR occupied b.
our troops in picsrdy there was som
brisk artillery lighting July TO 3. Gu
batteries shelled 1.Alval Wood with ga
early in the night and the enemy re
talisted by firing on our front lines
from the Fontaine Wood TO Grivesne:
and on some Of our positions in Tho
rear. The German srtillery was par
ticularly active between 10 p. M and
midnight but Il was noted that their
fire slackened or ceased whenever our
artillery started counter preparation
Most. of the German shells fell on the
north OF our sector.
The enemys trench mortars fire.
Quently came into action Just prior to
the commencement OF concentrated fire
by his artillery. His machine guns de-
livered heavy bursts OF fire In the
morning on the right Of our sector.
Ills airplanes were not usually active
except IN the dropping OF bombs, a
small number OF which fell on our po-
sitions before daybreak. At two points
in the German rear areas fire, smoke
and explosions indicated the destruc-
ton OF German ammunition dumps.
In the Marine sector, which our
troops are holding, the activity OF the
German aerial forces was the most sig
nincant feature Of July to 8. There
was q 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
calbre. The fire was for harrassing
and destructive purposes.
About half Of the machine gun fire
was directed against our planes. The
enemy's air forces were entirely abnOr-
NAL In their activity, some group
fights being observed in which eight
and ten planes participated.
There was an increase In the move
ment OF trsfilc 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 intermlttently
from one part Of the enemy's sector.
In this same sector conditions July 8
and were In all respects so normal
as to offer nothing Of interest.
In the Colmar sector July 5, activity
OF the German artillery showed some
Increase on portions OF our front, but
did not become notably heavy at any
point. His blplanes also distributed |
their activity over the sector dropping |
3 few bombs at one point. More Ger
nan patrols than usual were observed,
one throwing a few grenades at our
positions and another cutting some OF
,ur positions and another cutting some
Il our wire During the night the Ger
nan positions were lighted up to
reater extent than usual, mainly by !
liberal use of red and white flares.
II along our front our own patrols re-
Onnaitered the hostile positions, but :,
/ spite OF their number and activity /.
no enemy parties and drew
D enemy fire.
In the Mulhouse sector, July 3, Ger -
an airplanes showed an activity which -
unusual In this region. They clrcled d
instantly over their advanced posi- -
3ns and sometimes over ours. Our 1,
ti-aircraft batteries and a number OF ~
lied planes drove them back on nu- D
erous occasions. The enemy's artil-
~ was slight and widely distributed. ..
hind the German lines, in addition =,
the movements Of pedestrians. horse =, ~
en- and vehicles, a considerable num-
It Of infantry IN a body was observed !,
! the march during the afternoon. A u
lnlber OF small balloons. probably :,
lntaining propaganda, were sent up. !. .
In Lorraine July to 3 nothing ex- -
ut the activities Of our own patrols
died Tor especial mention. Our pa
ouing parties did much valuable re- :,
work IN Inspecting the y
lerny's defense positions and returned
fely. although one OF them came un-
II the enemy's fire. Artillery fighting .,
as very moderate. our batteries show
g much greater activity than those
the enemy. Our anti-aircraft guns -
ought down a German plane in the n
gion OF La Chapelle. Both pilot and
server were killed. The German ma
Inc guns were somewhat more active CI
an usual. I'M
In a sector in the Nosges recently
cupied by our troops conditions were
rmal July 3. During the preceding ar
ght German troops made two small
tacks, which were easily repulsed
le German artillery scattered its fire OF
er the sector, using guns Of small da
d occasionally Of medium calibre. pe
he ordinary number of German air
anes and balloons performed their
lstomary duties. During the day red u.
essage balloons were seen over the vi.
etihan INES ana at night nares and DR.
'ckets OF the customary sort. Our pa ha
ois performed their usual duties tr;
'ithout incident