When within range of the machine guns the Germans advanced under
the cover of clouds of thick white smoke from smoke bombs, in
order to baffle the aim of the American gunners. A surprise,
however, was in store for them. They were already crossing the
bridge, evidently believing themselves masters of both banks, when
a thunderous explosion blew the centre of the bridge and a number
of Germans with it into the river. Those who reached the southern
bank were immediately captured.
In this battle in the streets, and again at night, the young
American soldiers showed a courage and determination which
aroused the admiration of their French colonial comrades. With
their machine guns they covered the withdrawal of troops across
the bridge before its destruction, and although under severe fire
themselves, kept all the approaches to the bank under a rain of
bullets which nullified all the subsequent efforts of the enemy
to cross the river. Every attempt of the Germans to elude the
vigilance of the Americans resulted in disaster.
During the last two days the enemy has renounced the occupation of
the northern part of Château-Thierry, which the American machine
guns have made untenable. It now belongs to No Man's Land, as,
since the destruction of the bridges, it is not worth while for
the French to garrison it.
Against their casualties the Americans can set a much greater loss
inflicted by their bullets on the enemy. They have borne their
full part in what a French staff officer well qualified to judge
described as one of the finest feats of the war.