New-York tribune., 1918-07-30

ing Champvoisy, to the northeast of
the forest. In this region the Ger
mans have the higher ground and have
some advantage in the artillery duel.
ne Germans were not content with
the stubborn resistance which has
characterized their fighting so much
lately.
Fighting in Streets
Artillery supplemented the machine
guns and infantry, and the trained
guards and Bavarians began their work
IN manner rejecting their confidence.
In the repeated changes in position
both sides employed all the tactics of
modern warfare. After artillery prep
aration direct advances sometimes were
made; at other times enveloping move
ments were tried With the Americans
there operated a few light French
armored motor cars, which did brill
lant work in rushing the line, at times
their guns replying point blank to those
of the Germans.
Scores of times the khaki and gray
clad men met in the streets of the
little towns and on the slopes of the
river banks in hand hand encoun-
ters. The bayonet was used, but the
Americans effectively used their pistols
as we'll
Many Clashes in Water
There was much fighting actually in
the water where the Germans attempt
ed to rush their antagonists to the
south bank of the stream. There were
times when the blood tinted and mud
died stream gave evidence of the vio-
lence of the conflict. There were many
deaths as a result of slightly wounded
men being drowned.
1T was late this afternoon when Sergy
for the sixth time was in the possess
sion of the Americans At the same
time it was reported that every other
position held by the Americans Sunday
night had been retaken.
From other parts of the long line
from scissors around to Rheims come
reports of the Allied lines everywhere
holding and at some points advancing
On the American right the brilliant
cavalry support of the Frenchmen has
contributed materially to the American
success.
Day Ideal for Flyers
To-day was clear, but with light
clouds There was little wind and the
weather generally was ideal for aerial
activity. Both sides took full advan-
tage of this.
1 ne neaVy guns OF the AllleS, lgnOr-
ing to great extent the engagements
in progress almost under their muz-
zles, roared with redoubled fury dur
ing the day, their charges failing among
the massed troops and the reserves
and the long transports on the road.
The Allied aircraft again assisted in
harassing the troop movements and
also carried out observations. The
Germans also employed observation
and combat planes, but the superiority
of the Allies in the air was marked.
Shielding Retreat
Although the German operations
have materially sttfened there ap-
parently is no good military reason
to believe that the strength of the
defence is intended otherwise than in
a determined effort to check the great
pressure of the Allied troops while
the Germans are in retreat and also
perhaps to administer serious losses
to the Americans.
1t is generally believed that the
Germans will not make a stand until
they have reached more advantageous
ground, although it is possible that
they may decide to turn about along
the higher ground they already have
gained. For the next few kilometres
the advantage in the terrain is with
the Germans.