The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-09-18
GERMANS ATTACK
AMERICAN LINE
Assault Launched on MoSeIIe
Southwest of Metz, Broken
by Artillery Fire.
TRAPS SET FAIL TO CATCH
Highways Undermined in Effort
to Wreck Tanks-Feminine
Outfit Found in Dugout.
TRAPS SET FAIL TO CATCH
(By Henry G.. Wales.)

With the American Army on the
Lorraine Front, pm, Sept. 1s.-U
N. S.)-Supported by heavy gun fire
and many air planes. two battaiions OF
Germans attacked the new American
line on the Moselle river last night, but
the assault was broken up by Amer
lean artillery.
The attack was launched at the point
where the American line bends on the
Moselle. southwest Of Metz.
The Germans debouched from VII
lonville and from Chambley. crossing
the Moselle bridges.
A heavy barrage fire was laid down
hy the American gunners as soon as
the attack developed. At the same
time American machine guns took the
Germans under n hot fire.
Before the Germans could reach the
American lines the columns were
broken up by our fire.
German reinforcements that were
nearby werc caught by the American
shells and scattered.
German airmen tried to drive the
American machine gunners into their
dugouts by flying low and cutting
loose with an enfllading fire against
cur trenches.
Aviators Aid.
American aviators took part in a
great many air combats yesterday and
1t was reported that eight Germans
were shot down. The shooting down
of four German machines IS already
confirmed.
German aviators have dropped leaf
let's directed to American soldiers of
German extraction asking them to
desert to the Germans.
The German positions stormed by
American troops between the Moselle
and the Meuse contained every i'm
provement conceived during the en-
emy's four years study Of trench and
line warfare. ,
The doughboys found that shell shat
fered tered houses ,, and stables with half de.
concrete Pill boxes carefully concealed
from the prying eye Of air observers.
Near Thiaucourt and north OF Regnie-
VILE, the boches dug. under the highway
and Installed light lath supports hoping
to trap American tanks. But the tanks
craftily followed dirt rods instead of the
highways and escaped the pits. Later
the traps were discovered by the supply
The Germans in their retreat aban-
ts doned huge dumps OF gas shells which
rendered the gas shells harmless in case
they should be hit.
The German reserve positions showed
dazzling evidences of luxury. The quar-
bathtubs. electric lights. running water,
ventilators and elevators for carrying
machine guns
silk stockings, curling irons and female
lingerie were found in some of the rear
The Americans raided Mont Plaisier
farm. near Xammes last night. capturing
five German shock soldiers. who had been
- l. IL - n. ~.
man machine guns were brought back.
Crawling upon their stomachs the Amer
leans worked directly to the rear Of the
farm. cutting the two telephone wires
leading to the Hindenburg line.
This enabled the Americans to surprise
the machine gunners. who had been car
rying ion an indirect fire against the
American positions.
dugouts which. the prisoners
contained other Germans. The
Americana tossed in n few grenades
which exploded against steel doors at the
cans returned to their own lines heavy
American cannon we're turned against
the farm, blasting the position to pieces.
On their way to. and from Mont Plat
sir farm the Americans found many dug
outs that had been caved in by shells and
the txits blocked.
Nineteen Balloons In Three Days.
The weather is clearing UP on the st.
Mihiel front and the airmen are becom-
Ing more active.
Lieut.. Wehner and Lieut.. Luke shot
down three German captive balloons
last night. Lieut.. Luke now has a total
Of nineteen balloons to his credit in three
uays.
The Germans have bombarded Walton
Vile. Manheultes. Saulx. Haumont and
Combres with gas and high explosive
shells. ST. Mihiel was bombed also.
German patrols tried to approach our
lines. but were driven off. Our patrols
are very active.