The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1918-11-13

the River Mouse and the capture OF |
the Dun-sur- Mcusc by the Americans,
when it's full details are known, will |
rank as one Of the most gallant fca-
lures OF the entire operations north |
west Of Vcrdun. The troops who ac-
complishcd it will be entitled to rank
as heroes, for their work in militarily
crossing the stream was stragctic
move Of unusual daring.
The crossing involved the forcing Of
Il way over the 100 foot river, a half
mile wide stretch Of mud and a 60 foot
canal in the face Of q frghtful enemy
fire. 1t also involved swimming by
those who knew how and the pulling
Of others over by ropes. Graphing
irons were used to scale the sheer
walls Of the canal, along which ma
chine gunncrs had been posted, under
the fire OF scores Of batteries from the
hills adjoining.
The order to cross tho canal came at
midafternoon Monday. The t.oops re-
ccivcd their grim instructions under q
sun which was shining for Tic first
time in days. The men knew almost
as we'll as their commanders the diff
flculty OF the task end realized how
well nigh impossible it's accomplish
mcnt would be- Yet they never doubt
cd or hcatatcd The orders were to
send over one brigade first, and it it
failed to send another and Cthcrs, one
| after the other, if ii became necessary.
! It was with dash that the Americans
tackled the problem. Theoretcally
they had the choice Of crossings any
where for five miles. Actually the?
were limited to one point, where two
thirds Of 4 milo OF mud lay between
the river itself and the canal that
roughly parallels the river
| The Germans were too firmly en-
| trcnchcd at al! other spots. They had
not protected themselves with trenches
here, only because they never dreamed
that the Americans would be so der
ing as to try to negotiate the passage.
This was short distance north Of
| Bricullcs.
All the swimmers of the first brigade
were first singled out and put in the
van. 1t was intended to attack in this
way OH the theory that the swimmers
were less likely to be hit hy the Ger
mans owing to thd fact that they
would be nearly submerged. On the
other hand, they could carry with them
ropes and other paraphenalia for as
sisting non-sWimmers across.
The building Of pontoon bridges was
put off until Mt least some American
clements had cross the river.
a perfect rain OF fire from the Ger
mans met the swimming Americans.
the enemy had cnsconocd himself on
The cast bank with carefully selected
machine gun positions which rakcd
every point OF the bank; where cuort
to land could be enfiladcd or emit with
direct fire. Some men were killed in
the water. More were drowned after
having been wounded for no un-
wounded man dared stop to rescue a
comradc if the vancouver was to be a
successful one.
| Notwithstanding some losses and the
fact that the swimmers could not de-
icnd themselves. many OF them reach
cd the east bank Of the river with lines
which were drawn taut across tho
stream.
Others floatcd on RATS and collap-
siDle canvas boats These men had
less success than the swimmers, be-
cause they were better marks for the
cnemy's rifles and the boats could
easily be sunk by bullets even if their
occupants were not hit.
Close to where the swimmers
crossed the engineers began to throw
over pontoon bridges and a tiny foot
bridge. The pontoons were destroyed
by tho enemy, but the bridge remained
! intact and added materially to the
constantly increasing numbers Of mon
arriving on the west bank of the river.
soon after dark the first bridge was
across the first barrier and more men
we're ready TO make the journey.
| The second phase Of the pcrilous un-
dcrtaking then began the crossing of
nc kilometer of mud stretching be-
tween the river and the canal, which
although it was under a tremendous
enemy lire, was not held by infantry.