The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-20
FlEhcEsT OF WAR.
FIGHTING ON AMERICAN SECTOR
WAS BLOODY WAR.
Battle Ragged Around Chateau Thier.
~ Yestcrday-Amcricans I'm Thick
of Fight.

Suiy 10 10y the Associated PreSS) -
Some Of the severest fighting of the
war Is taking place today on the front
between Chateau Thierry and Main de
Massiges along a front of about SO
miles. The most violent engagements
are occurring in the neighborhood of
Dormans on the Marine where the
Germans are attempting to cross the
river.
The latest information shows the
enemy demonstration on the eastern
limits OF the Champagne is being held
by the French army under the COM
mand OF one OF the most brilliant OF
Frances soldiers who made his rep
utation In the colonies and the Dar-
caneiies
On the north side of the River
Marne In the woods and ravines the
Germans had been enabled TO concen-
trate numbers of pontoons and lattice
work bridges for a passage OF the
stream. When they approached. how
ever. they found that their temporary
crossing places were being infladed
and their efforts mag lave cost them
the heaviest losses.
How many German divisions were
thrown into the battle Is not known
yet. but 1t is evident that their re-
serves which had been training far be-
hind the lines were brought forward
In large bodies.
The indications for the present are
that the principal enemy effort Is be-
ing made toward Chateau Thierry. but
the development OF the operation will.
as usual, depend on the measure of
success at any section Of the line.
The Germans southwest of Jaul-
gonne this morning crossed the river
with a rush and promptly started to
fight their way to the south. having
an their objective a point about nine
miles distant. The Americans and
French hehd up this advance to such
an extent that two hours after the
time set by the enemy for reaching
his objective he was still far away
from 10.
While fighting In the open contin-
ued heroically the American counter
attack was organized. Light artillery
hurried into position. 1t concentrated
q heavy fire at short range when this
this fire had ceased the American in
fantry dashed from cover and met the
oncom!ng Boches.
Machine guns moved forward and
lying on the ground poured stream
OF bullets into the enemy The fierce
ness OF the fire brought the Germans
up short.
They would not face the steel and
hesitating at first. finally broke and
fell back.
Within three hours the Americans
had driven them two and a half miles
TO the Marne.
The allied staffs are absolutely con-
hdent OF their ability to hold their
line. and. although the Germans may
advance at some points their prog
ress. II In declared. will bo stayed just
as soon as their intentions become
clear.
The German footmen seemed shy
about attacking In the vicinity OF
Rheims. They were strongly held by
the French troops along the Cham
pagne zone. perhaps because they
were merely making a big demonstra
ton.
Towards Chateau-Thierry. between
that place and Dormans where large
valley divides the countryside. they
made an immense effort to cross tn,
Marne In order to break through the
allied defenses.
Five German airplapes. modelled
after the machines the American avi.
ators are using and carrying Ameri-
can insignia on the wings attacked
one OF the American sausages south
Of Chateau-Thierry this evening and
managed to get so close under the
disguise that they were able to fire
incendiary bullets into the balloon
which burst into flames. The occu.
pants OF the sausage. however. made
their escape by means OF parachutes
Seventeen American pursuit planes
Immediately left the ground and when
last seen all were fghting we'll in
side the enemy lines. Along the front
as far as the eye can see the big guns
wero still flashing and roaring to-
niHht and the battle gave no sign OF
diminishing. American staff officers
n.