of the River Marne. Scarcely had they
alighted from their motor trucks when they were ordered into
Chateau-Thierry with a battalion of French-Colonial troops. The enemy
were launching a savage drive, and at first succeeded in driving the
Americans out of the woods of Veuilly-la-Poterie. But the Americans at
once counter-attacked, driving their opponents from their position, and
regaining possession of the woods. On the same day the Germans launched
an attack of shock troops, attempting to gain a passage across the Marne
at Jaulgonne. They obtained a footing on the southern bank but another
American counter-attack forced them back across the river. The American
soldiers were fighting with wonderful spirit, and the French papers were
filled with praise of their work. As they came up to go into the line
they were singing, and they charged, cheering.

[Illustration: Map: Paris is in Southwest corner. Amiens in the
Northwest corner and Rheims is on the East side.]
WHERE THE "YANKS" FOUGHT THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE

On June 6th came a climax of the American fighting. It was the attack of
the American Marines in the direction of Torcy. This gained more than
two miles over a two and a half mile front. On the next day the advance
continued over a front of nearly six miles, and during the night the
Americans captured Bouresches and entered Torcy.

The fighting at Torcy was characteristically American; the Marines
advanced yelling like Indians, using bayonet and rifle. From Torcy the
Marines set forward and took strong ground on either side of Belleau
Wood. They had reached all the objectives and pushed beyond them. The
Germans were on the run, and surrendering right and left to the
Americans. The attack by the Marines forestalled an attack by the enemy.
German reports now noticed the Americans. Their report on June 9th
referring to this attack, says: "Americans who attempted to attack
northwest of Chateau-Thierry were driven back beyond their positions of
departure with heavy losses and prisoners were captured." The Americans
had lost heavily, and the hospitals were filled with their wounded, but
the thorough American organization was giving the wounded every care,
and the Americans were still moving forward.

On June the 10th, another attack was made on the German lines in the
Belleau Wood, which penetrated for about two-thirds of a mile, leaving
the Germans in possession of only the northern fringe of the Wood.