The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-31
ADVANCE ON SUNDAY.
HOLD ON ENEMY'S FLANKS
PROMISES MUCH.
Pcrshlng's Men Go Forward Under
Cover of Artillery and Capture
Town OF Scrgy.

With American Army on the Aisne-
Marne Front, July %, p. m. (By the
Associated Press) The German line
is again north Of the Ourcq and Fere-
en- -Tardenois, which has been entered
by French troops. is at the mercy OF
the allies. The tightening of the
Hanks holds promise that the retrea,
will be continued.
The line along the greater part OF
the bottom of the Soissons- Rheims sa-
lient has been pushed forward in some
places as much as five miles.
The Germans are bringing into play
their artillery in force to check the
plunges Of the Franco American
troops. The Americans have played
q brilliant part in the advance, which
includes the occupation of Sergy or
the north bank of the river, and a
number Of small villages.
The line tonight follows the Ourcu
River to Sergy and to Couzzancourt
the latter place lying about six miles
north Of the Marne. The Germans of
fered bitter resistance, but not to com
pare with that which began late today
for the retention of the higher ground
further north Of the river. There
they supplemented their defense with
artillery fire reaching over the Amer
lean front lines to the supports, the
volume of fire at times attaining enor-
nous proportions.
Unwavering the Americans held
their ground and even advanced .light
ly while the French on their sectors
to the right and left resisted as stead
lily against the vicious efforts of the
Germans.
From behind the advancing lines
the allied heavy guns kept up a con
tinuous bOmbardment throughout the
day, shelling the German positions
wherever the airmen reported troop
concentrations.
Heavy artillery has been used to
some extent by the Germans in their
rear guard actions, but to no such
extent as today, and this gives some
basis for belief that Won Boehm, the
German commander, is preparing to
make a stand.
1t Is pointed out. however, that un-
til the Ardre River is reached all the
advantages of ground are with the al
lies. So 1t Is generally believed the
use Of his heavy guns is merely an in
dicatiOn that his armies are being
withdrawn with all speed from a. posi-
tiOn which Is untenable and which
unless relieved might result in the
Generalization of what so far has been
an admirably conducted retreat.
The Americans began their advance
on Sergy early in the morning. They
had been driven back short distance
Saturday night but when they moved
this morning under cover of the ar
tillery-a few pieces going forward
with the advanced line-they proceed
ed almost unchecked to the river
crossed the bridge and occupied IL,
town about mid-fOrenOOn.
The Germans used gas. but the a.
tacking party long ago had had it's
baptism of gas fumes and knew how
TO utilize the masks and to avoid the
ravines through which the fumes
Uttered. When the town was occupied
there was some street fighting. but
not much. the Germans retreating to
higher ground.
Until today the wounds received by
the American soldiers have not been
as n result Of the failure OF the Ger
mans to use artillery. The ma jority
of the wounds were clean flesh wounds
made by bullets from machine guns
and rifles. Considerable material has
been captured, including a few loco
motives which the Germans put out
OF commission. There were relative
~ few prisoners
Many stories are told among the old
lines or the depreciation in the
German morale. Greatest signif-
canoe is attached to n letter taken
from an officer written by his brother
In Germany giving 1t as his opinion
that revolt was imminent unless the
war was stopped.