The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-03-28
AMERICANS MAKE
SURPRISE ATTACK
Detachment Successfully Raids
Enemy Trenches in W0eVre
Region Near RiGheG0urt.
ARTILLERY FIRE CONTINUES
Australians Raid German Trenches
and Kill Many of Defenders
No Rest for Turks.

Paris, March 13.-An American de-
tachment in the Woevre region has
successfully carried out surprise at
tack on German trenches south Of
RicheeOurt, says the French official
communication issued today.
Richecourt lies in the sector taken
over by the American forces north
west Of TOul. 1t is a short distance
northeast of Xivray.
With the American Army in France,
March 13.-The American troops east
Of Luneville have again raided the
German positions. Early this morn
ing, after a brief artillery preparation,
one platoon moved across No Mans
Land behind a barrage, entered the
enemy lines and penetrated some dis
lance with the object of ascertaining
whether the German trenches were
still evacuated. The platoon found
they were evacuated and then re-
turned without q single casualty. The,
German artillery feebly engaged in
counter battery work against the
American guns in the operation.
Artillery Fire Continues.
Washington, March 13.-An along
y
duel and raiding operations are con-
tinuing on isolated sectors. The Aus
tralians again have carried out sue
Cessful raids into German trenches
northeast Of Messines, killing a num-
Der of Germans and making prisoners
of others. In Lorraine, the French,
near Moncel, put down effectively a
strong German attempt at a foray, in
flicting heavy losses on the enemy and
also taking prisoners. In addition TO
a continuation Of the artillery duels
along the Italian front, there is con-
siderable aerial activity daily. In
fights in the air Monday the Italians
brought down five hostile planes.
The British troops in Palestine are
giving the Turks no rest Again they
have driven forward their lines north
west of Jerusalem. Numerous cas-
ualties were inflicted on the Ottoman
troops and several machine guns were
captured.
Americans Raid German Trenches.
With the American Army in France,
March 12.-American troops, cooper
ating with the French, have carried
out three raids opposite the American
sector in Lorraine. Two of the raids
were executed simultaneously last
night.
The Americans swept past the Ger
man first line and penetrated to the
enemy's second line 500 yards back.
The two simultaneous raids were
made after intense artillery prepare
ton lasting for four hours, in which
the German positions were leveled.
At midnight two forces, with small
French forces on their flanks, moved
upon the German detectives behind
a creeping barrage, each on a front
OF 600 yards. When the Americans
reached the enemy first lines the bar
rage was lifted so as to box in the
German positions at both points.
The men dropped into the enemy's
trenches, expecting a hand-to-hand
fight, but found the Germans had fled.
Continuing the advance, they went
forward 600 yards to the second Ger
man line All the time American ma
chine guns were firing on each flank
of the two parties to prevent the
enemy from undertaking thanking
operations. One French thanking party
found two wounded Germans in a dug
out and took them prisoner. The
Americans found one.
The Americans remained for forty
five minutes in the enemy lines. They
found excellent concrete dugouts,
which they blew up and also brought
back large quantities Of material and
valuable papers. While they were in
the enemy lines German artillery be-
gan a vigorous counter barrage. 1t
was quickly silenced by American
heavy and light artillery, which hurl-
ed large quantities of gas shells on
the batteries.
Turks Still Lose Ground.
London, March 12-Another ad-
vance in Palestine by the British
troops is officially reported, a forward
movement of about a mile and three
quarters on a front of twelve miles
having been made Saturday and Sun
day.
Madrid March o-The Spanish Cab