The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-03
HOW AMERICANS FIGHT.
OUR MEN ADVANCE IN GALLANT
STYLE.
Men From Middle West and Eastern
States Score Impressive Victory
Over Crack German Troops Moving
Line up Two Miles, Forming Apex
OF Long Front.


sociated Press ).--Through a barrase
as deadly as any the Germans have
laid down on any sector for months
the American soldiers comprising
men from the Middle West and East
ern States, pushed their line forward
q little more today and tonight II
forms the apex of the long allied
front
Their progress was considerable
though less than two miles, but 1t IS
regarded as a brilliant operation IN
view Of the determined counterlng bE
the Germans.
On either side the French also NOV
ed forward, while steady pressure was
maintained agaias.. the east and west
fanks
Information early in the day indl-
Gated the withdrawal of the Fourth
Guards but it developed that that re
nowned organization of the BaVarlans
still were on the front, and the strong
opposition they offered justified Their
reputation. But their sacrifice was II
vain.
The Americans withstood two
heavy attacks during the night and a.
daylight began their operations
which left them tonight well to the
north of Sergy or the long slopes ap-
preaching the heavy woods beyona
Nesies, a little town directly east ef
Seringes- -et-Nesles whose retention
the Germans bitterly opposed.
The east end of the line swings
ncrtheasterly opposite this point ana
then drops off in the direction OF
Seringes and Roncheres. The Ourc4
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.
It was late in the day before the
whole of Seringes was wholly cleared
The Germans clung to the northern
part of the town tenaciously and used
their machine guns murderously.
Neither side used artillery IN thus
particular battle. There was hand to
hand fighting in the streets in which
the Americans proved the master.
driving the enemy before them. The
story of the fight for the possession
of Meurcy Farm, lying directly south
| of Seringes, will long be remembered
in the history of the divisions. The
Germans, on their withdrawal, left
behind strong force of machine
gunners and infantry.
The Americans moved forward
through the yellow wheat fields which
i were sprayed and torn by bullets. But
| they advanced as though on drill
ground
The American guns laid down
heavy artillery but notwihhstand-
ing, this many of the Germans remain
ed, when it came to hand to hand
fighting. In a group Of farm build
| ings the enemy had set up strong de-
! fense. Here, the Germans stuck to
their guns, and the Americans rushed
them and killed the gunners at their
posts.
1t was a little battle without mercy
and typical of similar engagements
along the whole line. The Prusslans
and Bavarians everywhere fought in
|
pline and traditions, but were outwlt-
ted and outfought.
To the north of the farm, up the
long slopes leading to the wood, the
Americans encountered the flercest
exhibition Of Germany's war science
The Germans laid down barrage
which it is said, was heavy as has
ever been employed. The American
guns replied heavily.
The order for the advance came
and the line moved forward across
the grain fields directly through the
barrage From a nearby hillside the
chief staff officers saw shells fall, ID
cases leaving long gaps in the line,
but the troops never halted.
On through the barrage the Amer
leans went into the German positions
attacking fiercely the machine gun
and infantry detachments. The bar
rage died away, the Germans leaving
the work Of resistance to the men
they failed to protect with their heagy
guns.
The Germans were "mopped up
and the Americans held their new linc
just east Of the forest. Not many
prisoners were taken, but here ana
there q few were rounded UP an
brought in. Sergt. Louis LoetZ, o.
Sioux City, contributed IA. He at
tackled Is Germans who had become
separated from their command, kilt
ing four of them and capturing the
others. Awful execution was done
by the Americans. Eight captured
guards said they were all that re-
manned of company OF Sc. Iester-
day their number had been reduced tc
80 and a lieutenant. Today the lieu
tenant and all except them were kill
ed
After daylight Tuesday two German
aviators, with machine gunne"s
aboard. flying low, attacked an
American supply train south of Sers!'
They were driven off by anti-aircraft
guns.
The Germans later attacked q
dressing station. Word of this having
been sent to the aerial commande', az
American aviator soon arrived. and.
7 49, lI,o