The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-10
GERMAN FLIGHT HALTED.
WITH BACKS TO AISNE HUNS
PREPARE STAND.
May be Only Further Stiff Resistance
or Definite Attempt to Bring Allied
advance TO Stop-Mino- ACTIONS
During Day ON american Portion OF
Front

With the American Army on the
Marne- -Aisne Front. Aug. {By the
Associated Press-NTiJh their backs 20
the Aisne, the Germans continued
preparations today for what may be
elther. a stiff resistance to give them
more time for further Withdrawals, or
for a definite stand. Minor actions
along the American portion OF the
front and in the adjoining French sec
tors marked the day.
The little force of men who were
sent into Fismes still maintain their
foothold although they are not yet
across the river, which flows through
the extreme northern portion OF the
town. Under a heavy barrage ali thelf
wounded lave been taken out ana
during the night food was taken 10
them.
The Germans have been unremit-
ting in their efforts to disiod&e the
americans, pounding the town with
shells and deiuging it with gas.
Numerous efforts have been made
70 retake the position but in every IN
stance the accuracy Of the American
fire both OF f.the- artillery and the small
sgmy OF the infantry within It, drove
hack the enemy.
ITO the east and west of Fisnes the
americans have eontinued their recon
naissance work, patrols crossing the
river at different places. The detacn-
naents have however, never exceeded
more than 20 men. Near (deleated}
assfew men have remained and another
farce is: on the hill over the river
near Fismes.
SReports. received from the French
sectors indicate virtually the same sit
ustion from scissors TO Rheims.
EClearer weather resulted in more
aerial activity for few hours, but
the clouds reappeared and the rain
again began to fail and the aircraft
were forced to suspend operations.
Fhe Germans Immediately seized the
opportunity of the few hours Of good
weather to send over planes for light
iag purposes and incidentally shoot up
the allied transports. These p-anes in
every case were quickly forced back
biz anti-aircraft guns. Franco-Annerl-
can planes also did some observation
work north Of the Vesle.
The engineers have modified equip
nsent for their part in @he advance and
reports from far back Of the line IN
dacate that all elements Of the allied
fHrces would Immediately be avail
able
From the German SIDE observers
have reported wagon trains in large
numbers moving over some Of the
roads towards the rear. This is not
construed as conclusive evidence that
the Germans still are in retreat. But
this fact and the fact that up to date
sle Germans hayes not used at all ex-
tensively any except their small and
faedium caliber guns tends to support
the belief that the crown prince real
81 intends to make the Aisne the OBJ
aetive Of his line of retreat.
The present positions Of the Ger
hans are excellent for defense, how
ever, and it is regarded as not improb-
able that they will dig right in there.
The few big guns which haye been
Used by the Germans are in positions
iar back near the Aisne.
{ The clearing up OF the big field OF
Eetreat has netted in one-haif of the
Territory advanced over by the Ameri-
CANS alone Is trainloads Of @n1muni-
zion and general supplies.