The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-31
OUR MEN STAND
DEADLIEST FIRE,
THEN ADVANCE
PruSSian Guards and Ba-
varians Are Badly Beaten
by Americans.
LATTER FORCE BARRAGE
They Never Halt, but Hurl
Enemy Back in Hand to
Hand Fighting.
LATTER FORCE BARRAGE
BIZ the Associated Press.

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
as deadly as any the Germans have
laid down on any sector for months
the American soldiers. comprising men
from the middle West and Eastern
States. pushed their line forward a
little more to-day. and tonight it
forms the apex Of the long allied front.
Their progress was considerable.
though less than two miles. but 1t is
regarded as brilliant operation in
view OF the determined countering by
the Germans
On either side the French also moved
forward. while steady pressure was
maintained against the east and west
TANKS.
Information early in the day ind.-
Gated the withdrawal OF the Fourth
Guards. but 1t developed that that re-
nowned organization and the Bavarians
were still on the front. and the strong
opposition they offered justified their
reputation. but their sacrifice was in
vain.
Met Two Heavy Attacks.
Tho 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 approaching the
Heacy Woods beyond Nesles. a little
town directly east Of Serignes-et- Nesies.
whose retention the Germans bitterly
opposed
The east end of the line swings north
eas;eriy opposite this po!nt and then
drops off sharply in the direction Of
Cierges and Roncheres. The Ourcq
River has been left far behind. the
line being pushed forward across the
zone 10 the northwest
The Germans are holding positions In
Nes!es forest. from which their guns
are shelIing inerectively.
1t was late in the day before the
whole of Seringes was cleared. The
Germans clung to the northern part OF
the town tenaciously and used their ma
chine guns murderousiy.
Neither side used artillery in this par
ticular battle. There was hand to hand
Americans proved the masters. driving
the enemy before them.
Fight for Mcurcy Farm.
The story Of the fight for the pos
session of Meurcy farm, lying directly
south OF Seringes, will long be remem-
bered in the history Of the division, The
Germans on their withdrawal left be-
hind a strong force of machine gunners
and infantry. The Americans moved
forward through the yellow wheat fields,
which were sprayed and torn by bullets.
But they advanced as though on drill
ground.
The American guns laid down heavy
many OF the Germans remained when K
came to hand to hand fighting. In a
group OF farm b.Iildings the enemy had
set up strong defence. Here the Ger
mans stuck TO their guns and the Amer
leans rushed them and killed the sun
rers at their posts.
II was a little battle without mercy
and typical OF similar engagements oc-
curing along the whole line. The Prus-
sian Guards and Bavarians everywhere
fought in accordance with their train
Ing, discipline and traditions, but were
outwltted and outfought
Troops Go ON SteadilS.
To the north OF the farm, up the long
slopes leading to the woods, the Ameri-
cans encountered the iercest exhibition
of Germanys war science. The Germans
laid down a barrage which, 1t is said,
was as heavy as had ever been en-
ployed. The Americans guns replied
heavily.
The order for the advance came and
the line moved forward across the grain
fields directly through the barrage On
nearby hillside the chief stan officers
watched the operation. They saw shells
fall. In some cases leaving long gaps
In the line. but the troops never halted.
On through the barrags1he Americans
went into the German positions at
tackinE narcely tire machine gun and in
fantry detachments. The barrage died
away. the Germans leaving the work of
resistance 20 the men they had failed
to nrotect with their heavy guns.
The Germans were ''mopped up" and
the Americans held their new line Just
east of the forest. Not many prisoners
were taken. but here and there a few
were rounded up and brought in. Ser
geant Louis Loetz OF Sioux City contrib
uted fourteen. He attacked eighteen
Germans WHO had become separated
from their command. killing four OF them
and capturing the others.
Awful execution was done by the
Americans. Eieht captured guards said
they were all that remained OF a com
pany OF elghty-siX. Yesterday their
number had been reduced to thirty and
a Lieutenant. To-day the Lieutenant
and all the rest except them We're
killed. -, L.