The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-05
HAMS DIVISION
QUTFOUGHT ENEMY
Brilliant Work Done in Cap
ture Of Juvigny and
Nearby Towns.
ALSO HEROES OF FISHES
Division Torpedoed on Tus-
cania Gets It's Revenge
North Of Scissors.
Special Gable Despofch TO TIE Sun from the
London Times SerUfce

Special Gable Despafch TO THH Sun from the
London Times Service.
Copyright, 1918: oil rights yeserved.
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY, Sept. I'll
spent some time yesterday with one of
the Brfgadier- Generals OF the American
division which took JuHgny. and from
him learned how the division outfought
and outmaneuvred the enemy. After
ward l went UP to Juvigny and looked
over the ground won by the Americans.
[Gen. March has Identified the captors
of Juvigny as the Thirty-second Divi-
zion. under Mator-Gen. Haan.]
This is a horribly bare and exposed
spot The town itself Is perched partly
on the side of a big ravine which has
Juvigny. Terny- Sorny, Leury and Cha
vigny at its four corners, these towns
being from one to two miles distant
from each other.
From the wide plateau to the west the
town Is in full view from the Bethune
road. All the high ground. 1t is unnec-
essary to say, was swept by enemy guns.
machine guns having been posted In the
remains Of all the houses. In addition
there was a particularly formidable nest
Of machine guns north of the town,
about half way between 1t and Monte
ceuve Farm.
Eager for More Fighting.
The American division, after taking
Fismes and there outstanding a severe
bombardment. put in a few days rest
ing. The resting place, however, was
not beyond the range Of the enemy air
planes. especially at night. On the eth
they attacked with Mangin's army and
the next day attacked on their own ac-
count In the direction Of Juvigny. They
got some distance past the railroad. but
were forced back. Next day they were
anxious for another go, but were or
dered to keep still.
On the Both, having received request
for support from the French who were
attacking on their right. sthey received
permission to resume operations. and at
3 30 they began to push forward toward
the town from the north and south. hav-
ing learned from experience that a di-
rect frontal attack probably would be
too difficult and costly.
AS II turned out the advance on the
left was also a difficult operation, be-
cause a nest OF machine guns was posted.
not opposite the Americans but on their
left. Technically this nest was outside
the scope of the American commander
and he was not at liberty to shell II.
Having found out at considerable risk to
himself that It was absolutely necessary
to reduce this resistance he finally
brought his guns to bear on 1t.
Captures His Father Again.
On the right progress was easier be-
cause of the cover provided by the
wooded ravine. On this side the Ameri-
cans got behind the town, leaving two
companies to do the cleaning up work.
These men took 179 prisoners. A story
went that one Of these prisoners was
triumphantly led In by a soldier and in
PRODUCED as his father. but have an
idea this is not the first time this yarn
has gone the rounds.
Little was done by the way of artil-
cry preparation before the final ad-
vance. and there is not much doubt the
enemy was taken by surprise. On the
night of the 30th the Americans stabil-
lied their positions and filled the gap
north OF the town. where the left wing
had been held up On the 3lst they
joined in the general attack with the
French on each side of them. and in
the evening their left had reached
Terny-Sorny.
1t was announced in the German re-
port that this town was taken and that
was confirmed by the American report
this morning. However. the Germans
reentered the town later. and though the
Americans tried hard all day OF Septem-
Der 1 to rectify their positions they
could not quite succeed. They fell back
therefore, toward Juvigny.
Yesterday a new attack was made on
Terny- Sorny over the same ground on
| which the Americans first advanced.
The American division which figured
in this attack Is composed mostly OF
| lNationa Guard units. and all did mag
nificent work in those three or four days
OF fierce fighting. when the Germans ex-
| erted their full strength to defend this
critical point In their line
1t will be OF interest to English read
| ers to know that one OF the brigade COM
| manders in this division Is a cousin and
namesake OF an American well known
in London as fine whip and as an ex'
pert revolver marksman.
|