Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-19
Small Party of American
Soldiers Cut Off by
German Barrage.
AMERICAN GUNNERS
USING GAS SHELLS
Towns Within Enemy Lines Bombarded
by Yankee ArtiIIerymen-Seore Hits
in Towns of Essey and Montsee-
American Aviators Drop Bombs on
Metz-Three More Sammies Cited
For Bravery in Action.
[By the Associated Press.l

With the American Army in France,
March 1S.-An American patrol COM
posed Of - troops, in the sector
east of Luneville, early this morning
was discovered by the Germans. who
put down heavy barrage, the shells
striking among the party.
American artillery on the Toul front
, today bombar6ed towns within the
enemy lines. Gas shells were used.
Some shells hit in the town of Essey
and other towns in Montsec.
The American telephone wires with
in the American lines were tapped
again during the night. The enemy
at our lines.
The weather last night and today
was we'll suited for aerial work and
much was accomplished. American
anti-aircraf. guns drove off at least
six enemy aeroplanes. while others
crossed the lines at such height today
that they were out of range,
Airmen Bomb Metz.
Last night ,aeroplanes. at the rear OF
the American lines crossed over the
German zone. Soon after explosions
and flashes were seen over Metz.
American planes discovered during
the night that the Germans are
Strengthening their second line. 1t is
known that the first line in many
places has been abandoned. 1t is be-
lieved that the accurate American ar
tillery fire has had something to do
with this.
An Americn patrol between Rem
neres wood and Jury wood (between
Zechprey and Flierey) encountered an
enemy patrol early this morning For
an hour and half the American pa
troll tried to make some OF the enemy
prisoners but without success, altho
fights with pistols and rifles occurred
as the Germans retired, jumping from
tree to tree.
American snipers made a number OF
lucky shots today and Germans were
seen to fall.
Hun Mine Throwers Destroyed.
1t now is permissible to announce
that American artillery in the Lune-
vile sector has located and blown up
a battery of mine throwers, one Of
which a few days ago attained a
direct hit on dugout in which were
number of American soldiers.
The battery had been causing a
great deal Of trouble for several days
and the Americans were determined to
put it out CT action. It was finally
!, located and the artillery concentrated
high explosive shells on it.
Last night a patrol Of twenty-four
men, half American and half French.
entered the German lines and OBJ
tanned valuable information.
Yesterday, st. Patrick's Day. Irish
men of certain regiment, held cell
ebration. The men entertained hopes
that something would develop to per-
nit them to capture some Germans as
means Of celebration, but nothing
developed.
Americans Use Gas Shells.
Yesterday extraordinary artillery ac-
tivity developed in the Chemin des
DANES sector, where some troops from
New England are in training. The
enemy began gas bomrardment late
Saturday and continued it until yes
terday. A vigorous reply was made
by both America and French batteries
which gave the Germans about four
times as much as they sent over. Six
thousand shells were fired yesterday
from the sector in which the Amer
leans are stationed. a large proper
ton of them being gas shells.