Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1918 — YANKEES GAIN NEARLY MILE IN BELLEAU WOOD [ARTICLE]

YANKEES GAIN NEARLY MILE IN BELLEAU WOOD

I). S. Troops Win Near Chateau Thierry—Storm Trenches at Cantlgny. FOE WINS AT SEICHEPREY? Berlin Claims Americans’ Positions Were Penetrated ami Heavy Losses Inflicted—WOO Huns Killed On the Marne. With the American Forces on the Marne, "June 21.—American troops Jn this sector attacked the German line northwest of Chateau Thierry during the night and : made an advance of five-eighths of a mile, driving the Germans from a small pocket on the northern side of (lie Bodeau wood. The Americans occupied the German positions without resistance from the enemy, the Germans having withdrawn when the short and sharp artillery bombardment indicated that an infantry attack would follow. Yanks Win at Cantlgny. With American Army in France, June 21.—At dawn American troops stormed German trenches and ma-chine-gun nests In front of Cantlgny, tn the Montdidler sector. Those of the German garrison who J remained to fight and carry out their orders to hold the positions at any cost were killed by rifle and machine-gun tire and bayonet. The Americans also, took prisoners. Many Germans Killed. The American artillery put down a heavy box barrage on the rear of file enemy positions. A few minutes later the infantry swarmed over the top ami rushed the trenches. Some of the Germans had tried to escape through the barrage, crashing to their rear, but few of them got through, for numerous German dead were found later. Prisoners captured declared that they had orders to hold on at all costs, and this was apparent by the desperate npuiner In which they fought. f l lie battle was short, but deadly, for the enemy positions were swept clean of Germans. The official report says that a great many Germans were killed. Only Sixty Huns in Raid. The enemy artillery Ims been more active on the Toul sector since the heavy gassing to which the Americans subjected them. The infantry action has been confined, however, to an attempted raid, In which only sixty men participated, in spite of the German official statement which said that they had penetrated tire American lines at Seicheprey. Berlin Claims Cain. Berlin, June 21.—German troops have penetrated deeply Into American positions at Seicheprey, which lies to the east of St. Mihiel, between the Meuse and the Moselle, and Inflicted heavy losses Hie defenders, according to the German official communication issued here. 800 Germans Killed. With the Americans on the Marne, June 21 German .casualties In the fighting in tills sector are now estimated at 800 killed and 5,00 G wounded. Private James A. Donohue, who was taken prisoner eight days ago, escaped and rejoined ids company. He declared that a few other American prisoners are compelled by the Huns to work in the front lines.