The sun., 1918-06-18
BIG GUNS POUND
TROOPS HOLDING
BELLEAU WOOD
Americans Drenched With
Mustard Shells Till Rain
Stops Operations.
DETAILS OF XIVRAY FIGHT
Artillery Observers Saw Foe
First and Led With a
Heavy Barrage Fire.
DETAILS OF XIVRAY FIGHT
By TIE Associdfed Pvsss.

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE,
June 1.-The Germans began to-day
using gas TO a greater extent along tho
Marne front than they have done here
tofore. The Bcis de Belleau came in for
Its share. but despite the heavy gas and
other shelling tine American lines remain
intact
An American patrol crossed the River
Marine last night east OF Chateau Thierry
and at once established contact with the
Germans After an exchange OF shots
the Americans recrossed the river safely
by means Of boats.
A heavy rain began falling late this
afternoon
There has been an increase In the
artillery and aerial activity along the
Marine front. but the infantry has not
been engaged in the last twen,y-four
hours.
Mustard Gas Also Csed.
The enemy artillery fire In the section
east OF Chateau Thlerry has been in
creasing for some time, and the Ameri-
can fire has increased proportionately.
The Germans last night started to con-
struct a foot bridge across the Marne
at this point but were discovered and
aba ndoned the attempt even before the
American machine gunners on the bank
could get into action.
To the west the Germans have taken
to drenching certain localities with mus
tsrd gas One Of these ptacea 10 Bellsau
Wood. the Germans apparently thinking
that this was the only way TO drive the
American troops OUT. Blu: II was no.,
for they are still holding all their posl.
tiors. and a, the same time are giving
the enemy some clouds OF American gas
10 worry about.
German aiiplanes were very active to-
day and late last evening. There was
hardly moment when the hollow bark
Of the Rnti.a.rcrift guns was not heard.
The enemy has been especially active
against the sausage balloons. The down.
pour of rain late to-day caused tem-
poiary lull in the artillery fire.
A German iaiding party took few
American prisoners on the l-unevllie
frort this morning. The enemy raid
followed a patrol fght. in which the
Americans penetrated the enemy
trenches. killns one German and wound
ing another
Attack on WOevre Not Renewed.
The Germans failed to-day to renew
their attacks on the American front
northwest OF Toul The enemy losses
suffered yesterday morning when the
Germans were defeated in an attempt
20 take American prisoners are esti-
mated at a number in excess T 200. The
American casualties were considerably
fewer.
The Germans captured one American
soldier in their attack on Nivray yester-
day, hut he did not remain prisoner
very long. At the edge OF the village
three Germans came upon wounded
American. He was placed under guard
, of a German private and started for
the enemy lines. Reaching a point near
, the enemy wire entanglements. the
! American drew A revolver and forced his
! surprised custodian to march back across
, No Mans Land into the American lines.
! After turning his prisoner over to fell
| low soldiers. the wounded man fell un-
| conscious from loss OF blood.
Alert Observers Turned Tables.
! In the attack on Xivray the Germans
hoped TO enter the village and carry OFT
| "A lavge number of prisoners. but the
! alertness Of the American artillery OBJ
servers completely overturned the en-
emy plan. Examination of the Germans
| captured in the fght disclosed that the
enemy planned the raid n week in ad-
vance and that the 500 special troops
who tool, part in It were rehearsed be-
hind the German lines.
| The enemy plan was to send forward a
large party without preparatory artillery
! Are. This party was to take up a posi-
/ ton near the American harbed wire
ard then send up signal rocket for
box barrage to cover Nivray village and
the approaching communication trenches,
while the heavier artillery was to bonn
bard the villages in the rear.
| American artillery observers saw a
! large number OF Germans creeping about
| in No Mans Land. and thinking they
composed a large working party, the
artillery was signalled for a barrage.
The American artillery and machine
guns went into action Immediately and
before the enemy barrrage could get
started had inflicted heavy casualties on
the unprotected Germans In No Mans
Land and played havoc with the plans
for the raid.
| The original enemy plan was for the
attacking party to divide INTO three sec
tons and to enter Nivray from three
different directions Only one section
actually reached the outskirts OF the
village. but only after it had been cut
up badly by tho American barrage fire,
! Of these only small group got into
Xivray. where they were quickly sur
rounded by the Americans and either
captured or killed, Eight prisoners. in
Guiding a Lieutenant, remained In the
, American hands.
A majority Of the American casual
ties. which do not include any missing
resulted from the German artillery Ore.