The sun., 1918-03-02
Great Storm of Shells and
Clouds of Gas Precede
Biggest Attack Yet.
WEST POINT HERO SLAIN
Ten TeutOns Killed in Our
Trenches and Three Taken
Prisoners, 2 Wounded. y
Hl TIE Associated Press.

March American troops repulsed a
s,rcng German attack this morning in
the salient north of Toul. There were
many American casualties, one Of the
killed being a Captain who was gradu-
ated from West Point in 1917.
The raid was a complete failure. three
German prisoners remaining In Amer.
lean hands The ground in front Of the
American trenches was strewn with
German dead.
driving wet snow was falling this
morning when the Germans opened FIRE
on the American salient with every
weapon at their command. Seventy
seycns, heavy shells and gas shells fell
In Il perfect whirlwlnd on our trenches
for half an hour At the same time
other enemy shells in great numbers
we're dropping on the American battery
positions
The Germans, evidently thinking that
me Americans in this section. having
lad one taste Of gas a few days ago.
would fear it now let loose great guam
titles Of poisonous gas. but the men put
"n their masks. and only n few were
affected by it. So intense was the fire
hat The woods back of the salient were
shot to pieces.
2AO Raiders in Attack.
At o'clock the barrage fire lifted on
the trenches to the right Of the salient
and Germans, numbering 24O. came
sweeping forward under the protection
OF their fire. They came forward ap-
parenty intending to make a big haul,
and jumped into what was left Of the
trenches, but there. instead Of the easy
time anticipated. found the Americans
al ready for battle. Fierce hand to
haLd fighting began.
ore American Captain ralliel ,nsn
with rifles ara machine guns AMI went
uroueh the American wire cn'snelc-
'nents into No Mans Land and .here
waited for the enemy. whom he expected
10 be driven out by his comrades in me
trenches.
He was right, for soon groups Of the
'nemy started back through the wire en-
tanglements. The Americans poured in
deadly fire. but unfortunately the Cap
tain was killed during the fight. He il
the irs; member OF the 1917 class at
West Point to be killed.
While the Americans were in front OF
the wire entanglements and in shell
holes. still fighting desperately. the
American barrage fire began sweeping
No Mans Land. catching many running
Prussians vino had enough OF American
methods. Tie barrage swept back and
forth. making sure OF doing all possible
damace TO the foe.
When the enemy had been driven
back out of the positions the bodies
ot ten German soldiers were found In
tie american trenches. Two German
officers were entangled In the wire and
many bodies were in sight. Eight were
point.
Uttered With Unused BOmbs.
The ground was Uttered with enemy
land grenades. boxes OF explosives for
destroying dugouts and incendiary
bombs which they had no opportunity
10 use
The enemy managed. however. to drop
'ncendiary bombs in two dugouts which
werc destroyed by fire, but no. Ameri-
cans were in them.
II the Germans captured any pris-
oners, which it ia doubtful. there were
rot more than two or three. possibly
from listening post. sOf the missing
many were probably buried. Digging
Tor them is now proceeding and others
may be accounted for.
Two German prisoners were wounded
ard the other taken was unhurt except
for welt on one of his hands where
ne was struck by young American
soldier when he showed fight after cap
lure. From the prisoners the American
oHicers have obtained much saluable in
formation. One said:
I did not have n chance to do any
'OiHg before an American jumped on TO
lie and grabbed me by the throat"
The Germans had been preparing for
~" raid for three weeks and belonged to
N" Seventy-eighth Reserve Division Of
Hanover. The prisoners had Russian
CONS in their possession and came into
me trenches opposite US just before the
Americans took over this sector.
The Americans lost many killed and
wounded including officers. The Ameri-
cans displayed the greatest personal
courage, bravery and energy throughout
The engagement and outfought the sur
frlsed enemy from the instant contact
va established.
Town Also Is shelled.
bJriog the bombardment q town be-
'"' III" American Inc was neaNHy
'heIed and there were sorae casualties.
Str.rt orders were issued to-day to all
RANKS IN the American sector Of the bat
ue 'front.' near Toul regarding gas precau-
,'ohS TAe men were told that they must
"eep their masks and respirators within
N'rrk reach Al all times. and were
warned that the slightest delay In get
"'e them on might mean death.
Few more additional gas cases de-
,e1oped today among the men who
many hours after the gas shells had ex-
ploded went to work In tho gassed area,
"here the fumes. like water. remained
~ Shell holes and other depressions in
~" earth. Thus far six men have died
rom tie effects OF German gas shells
"hl moro than eighty are in hospitals
'4n'rlns from poisoning. Most OF the
'aSes are slight and only one man is re-
N'!'el to be IN grave condition.
owlit re'ribution has fallen upon the
'efman batteries wh!ch this week BON.
paf1ed the American trenches northwest
VI ioul with gas shells. American heavy
artillery concentrated its hrc on the
German minenwerfer batteries for half
eR hour Thursday and oblitsrated che
position
Many direct hits with high explosive
hels were made by the American gun
hcis' Timbers were thrown high in the
ton ntfsued ~ qeeouA Qesoe