Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-09-04
THE TAKING OF JUyIGNY.
Americans DO Their Work Thor.
oughiy-Tremendou Struggle.

With the American Forces on tho
Aisne Front, Sept. 1.--Juvigny, the
ruins of village north of Soissons
that the Germans fought so desper-
ately to retain, Is now we'll within
the American lines. 1t was taken
late Friday, but not until now has
the publication of details Of its can
ture been permitted
The American consolidated their
positions to the east Of Juvigny Fri
day night, and Saturday night, after
making further progress during the
day, they control the zone considera-
bly, In advance of the village. The
American artillery dominates the
country for many miles to the east
and the Germans apparently have
been left with slight chance OF ef-
fective resistance until they reach
the broken terrain around Neuviile.
The extension Of the line through
Juvigny was dramatic addition to
the already brilliant record of the
division that accomplished 1t. The
German officers were out-manoeu-
vered and their men were outfought.
Machine Guns Terrible Barrier.
Enemy machine guns proved a
terrible barrier to the progress Of
the Americans, but it was not
enough. And when all was over the
Germans unwittingly added a final
touch Of tragedy when they dropped
high explosive shell into the midst
Of 1877 prisoners that the Americans
had removed to the rear. Five Ger
man captives were killed and scores
were wounded
When the objective of Gen Per-
shing's men finally was atteined the
Germans within the town were
caught mapping. The Americans had
managed to man machine guns and
trench mortars, and all we're point
ed to the west and the northwest,
but the assailants appeared out Of
an arc drawn about their rear.
The mopping up Of the town and
positions Immediately adjacent to it
netted the Americans 225 prisoners.
TIE German dead have not been
counted. The number Is too big.
Two days ago American patrols
were III Juvigny and a mile and
half beyond it. The retention OF the
town was assumed, but the Germans
were not exhausted and their deter
mfnatiOn to contest the advance IF
the now enemy who had appeared
resulted In the repetition Of the ex-
periences OF certain American diyis-
ions north or the river Marne when
town after town passed back and
forth before the Germans were def
nitely pushed back.
Tremendous Struggle begins.
Thursday night. when al Ameli.
can detachment, escorted by tanks
entered Juvigny, the German line
once more was behind the railroad
to the west Of tho town. There a
tremendous struggle began, the Ger
mans employing every faculty to
hold their positions, not only in
front OF the Americans. but III front
of the French
On Friday the Americans were in :
structed to pound the Gerran lines
and to harass them in every manner
while the French were bringing IN
forces OH the hanks, but not to make
any effort to advance.
The French advanced rapidly. how
ever, and late In the day the Amer
leans we're ordered to renew the at
tack. Again German resistance Of
great intensity was encountered.
For time it appeared as though
the Germans were not content to
merely resist. 1t was learned they
were concentrating a force in Juvtg-
ny and the Americans prepared to
resist ccnnter attack. The artil-
iery was instructed to concentrate
their fire on Juvigny and positions
nearby and for an hour in the after
noon American and French guns
hnrlod tons OF high explosives and
shrapnel into the little town. already
hardly more than mass of ruins
clinging to one side Of deep ravlne.
No gas shells were sent over, for
the French and Americans were con-
Adent Of it's occupation, and they did
not dosire to prepare for themselves
pools Of invisible, deadly gas.
About o'clock part Of the Ameri-
can line moved forward. Juvigny
was believed to have been cleared.
At least four companies of Germans
had been observed to evacuate the
place and an aviator who few over
the positions and who was the first
airman who was not fired upon while
engaged in reconnaissance operations,
reported that he had seen no signs
Of the enemy.