Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1918-06-06
AMERICAN BOYS
HALT HUNS At
MARINE BRIDGES
Their Skill, Courage and Dash
Win High Admiration of
French War Chiefs.
NEMESIS OF THE BOCHE

London. June ,.-The part played by
the American Machine gunners IN defens,
of the Chateau Thierry bridges Is classeC
nv Reuters correspondent at French
headquarters as worthy TO stand with the
achievements of the American lniantr,
recently at Catingny, on the Amlcn'
front. Telegraphing under date of Mon
day, the correspondent says
ION Friday. when the Germans were
already in the outskirts of Chateau
Thierrv. an American machine gun unit
was hurried thithcr in motor lorrics
Chateau Thierry lies on both banks OF
the Marine, which is spanned by big
bridge
The Americans had scarcely reached
their quarters when news was received
that the Germans had broken into IN the
northern part of Chateau Thierry. having
made their way through the gap they had
driven in our lines to the left of the town
and then pouring along the streets 10 the
bridge, to establish firmly on the south
bank and capture the town
ROUTED THE GERMANS.
THE American machine gunners and
French Colonials were thrown into
4
cans Immediately took over the defense
Of the river bank, especially the approaches
TO the bridge. Fighting with their
hahitual courage and using their guns
with an accuracy which won the highest
ercomiurns from the French, they brought
the enemy to a standstlll.
Already wavering under the American
fire. the Germans were counter attacked
BY the French ColonIals and driven from
the town. They returned 10 the attack
the next night and under cover Of dark
ness crept into the town along the river
bank and began TO work their way through
the streets toward the main bridge At
the same moment a tremendous ARTILLERY
bombardmcnt was opened upon the south
ern half OF the town.
BLEW UP HUN-CRowDFD BRIDGE
when within range Of the machine
guns, the Germans advanced under the
cover Of clouds Of thick white smoke from
smoke bombs in order 70 battle the aim
of the American gunncrs- 4 surprise.
however, was in store for them. They
WIRE already crossing the bridge, evi-
IDENTIFY believing themselves master Of
both banks, when thunderous explosion
blew the center of the bridge and numhr
Of Germans with II into the river Those
who reached the southern bank were i'm
mediately captured.
I'm this battle IN the streets. and again
at night, the young American soldiers
showed a courage and determination which
aroused the admiration Of their French
colonial comrades.
With their machine guns they covered
the withdrawal OF troops across the bridge
before It's destruction, and although under
severe fire themselves, kept all the ap-
proaches TO the bank under rain OF
bullets which nullihed all the subsequent
efforts Of the enemy TO cross the river
EVERY ENCOUNTER A HUN DISASTER
Every attempt of the Germans 10 elude
the vigilance Of the Americans resulted
in disaster to himself
Against their casualties the Americans
can set much greater gloss inflicted by
their bullets on the enemy. They have
borne their full part IN what a French
staff officer we'll qualified 10 judge describ-
ed as one Of the finest feats OF the war