The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-31
YANKEES STILL
IN DEATH GRIP
WITH VETERANS
Take Hill 212 From PruS-
sian Guards After
Bitter Fight.
DEFY TERRIFIC BARRAGE
Famed German Divisions Gain
Nothing But Time at
Fearful Cost.
DEFY TERRIFIC BARRAGE
by HERBERT BAILEY.



London Times
CopvriDht 1873: an rights restrrtd
WITH THE A AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE,
July 30-Severe fighting is still in
progress on the southern side of the
Marne front. where American troops
face the Fourth Division of Prussian
Guards. This division has been driven
back. and in spite OF its fierce at
tacks the Americans yesterday made
slight advances. notably in the re-
gion of Meurcy farm, which they have
taken.
Hill 2l2. which dominates Sergy and
the immediate territory beyond, is in
American hands and al indications
point to the fact that the Americans
have not on,y defeated the Prsusians.
who were specially sent against them.
hut have forced them back.
The Losses IN this division of the
Prussian Guard have been particularly
severe. Captured Germans say that
OF one company only ten men were
left, and OF these seven were taken
prisoners.
Never throughout yesterday did the
lighting slacken, the struggle for mas
terry bs ny one of the most remarkable
OF the war, Every foot OF ground was
obtained only AT fearful cost
On slope without shelter.
, TIE msH Jay ,rt IN the open on
slope wi hout protection cf any Kind.
\ torrer; % shells fell among them the
constant ;oar being broken by the swish
and vh'st,a % machine gun bullets.
which SWEPT the slopes from the other
side OF the OErcq. Roth sides refused
to give ground. The P-uss,ans attacked
! incessantly, only 80 advance at local
points after the payment OF a fearful
price in deed o. wounded
After the Prussians had finished their
attack the Americans counte'ed. aided
by their artillery. which fired round
after, round into the enemy positions.
Under cover OF THEY blrrage the
Americans moved forward with ma
chine guns. and with a combination of
bayon,t charges and marching actions,
elected the enemy. and temporarily. at
! least the positions would ;eman in
American hands. Then the Prussians
would advance again. and At arms
length the two armies met. Every man
fought for his l.fe and there was no
thought of taking prisoners.
Gain Nothing nut Time.
At last late yesterday evening the
Americans made sl,ght advance as
result of the days fighting, and the
sadly beaten guard division saw that
all its loss and labor had gained moth
ing except a little time in which the
Germans back Of them might carry out
their retreat.
Many stories are told concerning yes
terday's fghting. II appears the Ger
mans contemplated an attack on the
village CT Seruges and had massed
their troops ready for the blow when
knowledge OF the intending attack
reached the Americans. Immediately
the American artillery was turned upon
this area, with the result that the masses
Of Germans broke and fled. SO deadly
was the American artillery fire that not
| many escaped, and the counter attack
pever came,
In the same region TIE enemy put
! down severe barrage back OF the Amer
| lean lines ard in the front area. 1t was
necessary, however, for American sup
port troops to pass through this fire, and
when ordered to do not man heS-
, tated. I was told by those vino saw our
| men 20 forward that IT was one OF the
most thrilling sights imaginable.
wounded, hut wanted TO Fight.
one American who had been wounded
. in the head was sent to a dressing sta
ton and told to await the ambulance.
! In a few minutes ne was missing. ard
| subsequently discovered unconscious Ly
| the roadside on the way TO the front
| When he recovered he told how he had
! tried to steal his way bGc to his COM
! pany.
! Another American, messenger, was
badly wounded in his hands and feet
and although told to go back he re-
| fused, insisting on staying with his COM
pany. Such Is the spirit OF the Ameri-
| cans.
| In the desperate fighting for Sergy the
and at the finish remained in possession
of the American soldiers. Throughout
| the day the Prusslan Guard attacked
| again and again. and suffered heavy
losses, When night closed the fighting
the Prussians had been forced back
north to the heights beyond Sergy.
For some time during the day the Ger
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