STORIES PROM THE BATTLEFIELD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 223, 8 June 1918, Page 7

STORIES PROM THE BATTLEFIELD

SPLENDID EXPLOIT BY FRENCH COLONIAL INFANTRY

lIOW A MARNE BRIDGEHEAD WAS HELD

London, Juno G. Mr. George Perris writes to the "Daily Chronicle: "An American machine-guu unit and tho French colonial infantry covered themselves with glory in holding a Marne bridgehead at Chateau Thierry, when the .Germans were immediately threatening the town from tho hills to the north and north-west. Tho French and Americans crossed the riverand drove back tho attackers to the outskirts. Tho Germans returned to the attack at nightfall, marching along a bouleiard towards the/ Marne, throwing smoke bombs ahead of tho column: The Germaus were upon tho bridge when the central arch' was blown up, ! with..raany infantrymen. The -American machinegunners, after covering the retirement, held some sheltered posts for two days and nights, preventing the enemy attempting to build and repair the bridges. Veteran French troops- praise the vigilance, energy, aucl sangfroid of their' younger comrades, who inflicted heavy losses on the Germans, and sustaining less casualties. themselves."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE MARNE

(Rec. April 7, 10.30 p.m.)

London, Juno 11. rieuter's correspondent at French Headquarters, writing on Juno 5, says: "The attempt of the Germans to cross : tho Jlarne at Jauldon was no more serious than appeared from the first reports.Tho enemy, threw thirty-two ladder footbridges across the river. Four were destroyed by gun tire. A Prussian battalion crossed on tho remainder, two men abreast, and, advanced immediately to tho railway, installing a -machine-gun dctachment at the station. Tho remainder spread out in line, sheltering behind tho embankment. It was decided to throw the enemy across tho river at all costs. This was carried out o'l Sunday night, by dismounted dragoons, supported by American mnchincgunners. The,latter were engaged in a duel with the Germans at the station, enabling the French to work behind the Germans, who incontinently fled, headed by their officers, some of whom plunged into the river-and swam across. The re-1 mainder of the battalion were either killed or captured. The enemy's losses in the machine-gun battle with _ the Americans for the Chateau Thierry bridge were also of the heaviest. Over a thousand German dead lay on the bank of the river and in the streets leading to the river."—Renter. •