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Show VICIOUS ATTACKS Germans Meet Smart Repulse Americans Take Northern North-ern Suburb of Rheims. WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY ON THE VESLE FRONT, Aug. 9 (By the Associated Press.) 7:30, p. m. Three vicious but ineffectual thrusts were mado last night and today by the Germans against tho line west of Rhoims. The net rosult was a smart repulse by the French, against whom the most determined attack was made, and the inclusion of the northern suburb su-burb of Fismes in the American line in addition to about 100 prisoneis. Throughout the night and day tho operations op-erations in the Soissons-Rheims sector sec-tor were characterized mostly by artillery ar-tillery firo, in which the Germans shifted their long range guns from time to lime to reach villages and roads which they themselves traversed travers-ed a week ago. Cloudiness continued to interfere with aerial operations, although both sides were busier than during tho past fow days. Two German planes were brought down by tho Americans. The occupation of the northern suburb sub-urb separated from Fismes by the Vesle, took place after a terrific artillery artil-lery bombardment which was begun yesterday. The village was virtually reduced when the order to advance was given today. It was there the hundred hun-dred prisoners were taken. Tho Americans rushed over the river, leaping, running and crawling across on the debris of a heavy bridge which was blown up by the Germans, Its piers and other timbers so falling, however, as to make tho ruins available. In tho village a rather weak resistance resist-ance was encountered. The German force which had been loft there had : been uuable to retreat to their own lines because of . the heavy artillery firo, and when brought in to the American Amer-ican lines the majority were wounded. A great many of the defending force were killed. A German lieutenant led a party of less than thirty men in a thrust against what probably appeared to be a weak point. A machine gun section caught the party under its fire and annihilated an-nihilated it. The only general action today was when the French and Americans laid down a box barrage and carried out a reconnaissance. There was somo belief be-lief that the Germans had withdrawn from a largo part of this position and it was desired to learn If the encmv was still there. |