Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-18
AMERICANS COVER THEMSELVES
WITH GLORY; HOLD MARINE GAINS

Continued from Pase One
the Use Of canvas boats. The greater
number crossed at two places near
Fossoy and Mezy. Between 8 o'clock
and 10 o'clock the Germans advanced
against the Americans to a line run.
ming through Fossoy and Crezancy.
When the Americans counter.at.
lacked about noon the Germans were
thrown back, and at mightnight no
Germans were on this side Of the
Marne up to Jaulgonre. Reliable re.
ports say that the Americans virt,,.
ally destroyed the guard division that
was sent against them. Hundreds
were killed while trying to get hack
across the Marne. 1t is estimated
that the Americans killed or wounded
1000 and our prisoners numbered 1000
most OF whom were taken by three
companies OF our troops-75O men.
Retook Two Towns
Meanwhile the German line to MIR
right had swept down from Co,,rte.
mont around south of the Rois do
Conde and south Of st. Agnan around
to Comblizy. The French retook 81
Afghan and La Chappelle Monday after.
noon with our troops in the second
line counter-attack by the Ger.
mans. launched at the same time of
another smaller French attack. gave
MIN these two places again. This was
the situation Tuesday afternoon when
tne rrench REINFORCED by Americans,
launched another attack at I o'clock.
In ADDITION to going ahead with
the French. our troops moved ea 81 ' on
the west of the German flank ~, .
o'clock our combined forces had ro.
taken La Chappelle and st. Arnan
as well as the important Hill e41 and
Hill 223. The Americans drove Tho
Germans back from the south cdpe
| Of the Bois de Conde over the bil,
commanding the woods to the north
side. VI
A little later we took Chevy and
Montlevon, and then continued our
advance. The total gain of terrain
| was about two kilometers. But the
possession Of the hills was more i'm.
portant. A considerable number Of
prisoners were taken. Those resting
In the hands Of the American units
attacking west of the German flank
number 345. The entire counterat- :
tack was a success.
The American troops, fighting in
Yesterdays attack. never before had
been in battle. Their splendid per-
forrnance came after a day and a
half of heavy shelling with high ex.
plosives and gas. which they stood
well. Their spirit was never broken.
The stuff that American soldiers
are made Of was shown in the case
of company led by Captain Mackey
In the fighting In the Bos de Conde
this company of $50 men was sur
rounded by the enemy and reported
caRtured. Three hours later Captain
Mackey showed up with thirty-eight
men. They had refused to be cap
tured. although surrounded and had
fought their way back against great
odds.
| Another story OF heroism Is that OF
a platoon Of Americans who were In
Mezy when the Germans got across
the river. Wher their comrades with
drew they stayed in the cellars In
Mezy where they placed machine guns
! in such positions that the Germans
could not dislodge them. When the
I Americans got back into Mezy late
on Monday might this platoon. with
out food. but with plenty of pep
was still on the job. They had played
havoc with the ranks OF retreating
Germans.
Don't Know How to Retreat
The only trouble the commanders had
with the American troops was that they
did not know when to retreat. One
platoon did not get or did not heed or.
ders to withdraw and, holding on. be
came surrounded. Then they cut their