Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-07-31
Men From Middre West and
Eastern States Withstand
Terrific Fire With HardihoodI
of Veterans,
GAINS ARE MADE AMID
HAIL OF GERMAN SHELLS
Enemy Fights Desperately to.
Retain Grip On SerigneS.
Where Hand to Hand En-
counters Mark Fighting,


With the American Army on the
Ai,ne- Marne Front, July 30 (by the
Associated Press. )-Through a bar
rage as deadly as any the Germans
have laid down on any sector for
months, the American soldiers, COM
prising men from the middle west
and eastern states, pushed their hhe
forward a little more today, and to-
hight it forms the apex of the long
allied front.
Their progress was considerable,
though less than two miles, but it is
regarded as a brilliant operation in
view of the determined counterlnG
by the Germans
Crack Regiments in Battle.
on either side the French also
moved forward, while steady pressure
was maintained against the east and
west flanks
Information early In the day indl-
Gated the withdrawal OF the fourth
guards, but it developed that that
renowned organization and the Bavar-
ians we're still on the front and the
strong opposition they offered tes-
Titled their reputation. But their
sacrifice was in vain.
The Americans withstood two heavy
attacks during the night, and at day
light began their operations, which
left them tonight well to the north
of Sergy on the long slopes approach
ing the heavy woods beyond Nesles,
a little town directly east of Sergnes-
Et-Nesles. whose retention the Ger
mans bitterly opposed.
Ourca River Passed.
The east end of the line swings
northeasterly opposite this point and
then drops off sharply in the direc-
tion Of Cerges and Roncheres. The
Ourcq river has been left far behind,
the line being pushed forward across
the zone to the northwest.
The Germans are holding positions
in Nesles forest, from which their
guns are shelling ineffectively,
1t was late in the day before the
whole of Serignes was wholly cleared.
The Germans clung to the northern
part of town tenaciously and used
their machine guns murderousy.
Americans Are Superior.
Neither side used artillery. There
was hand-to-hand fighting in the
streets in which the Americans proved
the masters, driving the enemy before
them.
The story of the fight for the pos
session of Meurcy farm, lying directly
south of Seringes hill will long be re-
membered in the history Of the divi-
sion. The Germans left behind q
strong force of machine gunners and
infantry. The Americans moved for
ward through the yellow wheat fields,
which were sprayed and torn by bul.
let's But they advanced as though on
a drill ground.
Gunners Die at Posts.
The American guns laid down a
heavy artillery fire, but notwithstand-
ing this, many of the Germans re-
mained when 1t came to hand to- hand
fighting. In group of farm build
ings the enemy had set up a strong
defense. Here the Germans stuck to
their guns, and the Americans rushed
them and killed the gunners at their
posts.
1t was battle without mercy, and
typical of similar engagements occur
ring along the whole line. The Prus-
sian guards and Bavarians everywhere
fought in accordance with their train
ing, but were outwitted and outfought.
Barrage Is Terrible.
To the north of the farm, up the
long slopes leading to the woods. the
Americans encountered the fiercest
exhibition of Germany's war science.
The Germans laid down a barrage
which. it is said. was as heavy as had
ever been employed. The American
guns replied heavily.
The order for the advance came.
CONTINUED on Page Two)