The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-03
AMERICANS At THE FRONT.
AFTER DAY OF BITTER FIGHT
ING THEY HOLD POSITIONS
GAINED.

They Faced the Flower Of Germany's
Veteran Troops and More Than
Made Good in Hand to Hand Fight
ing.
With the American Army on the
Aisne- Marne Front, July 20 (By the
Associated Press) Evening". g).-Ine
American troops tonight still held the
apex of their advance, won after
struggle with the Germans in which
the opposing lines moved forward
and backward time and again, Sersy'
on the north bank OF the ourcq'
changed hands six times.
The crown prince and his generals
Maid the Americans great compl.
ment in bringing up against theHl
two of their bes, divisions, the
Fourth Guards and Bavarlans. Ihey
had been held in reserve, presumably
for the operation. They had oeen
DELAYED and reached the army north
of the Marne Saturday night. They
moved through the retreating main
BODY Yesterday and came into the
action early today. They did not re-
place any of the German troops al
ready in the line, but served as rem
forcements.
The first efforts of the guards and
Bavarians were partly successful ana
the Americans were forced to with
draw from Sergy and few Other
nositions. including the town OF
Seringes-le-Nesles. But the Germans
could not force the main body across
the river. The stream is narrow ana
shallow, and some detachments at
times were driven back, but always
there remained enough Americans on
the north bank to check the Ger
man rusfes and in every instance the
Americans returned to the fray WIN
great spirit It was a veteran Amerl-
can division and today's opposition to
the terrific onslaught made against
It justified the confidence OF the stan
that it was more than equal to any,
thing the crown prince had to offer.
The Germans were not content with
the stubborn resistance which mas
characterized their fighting so much
lately. Artillery supplemented the
machine guns and infantry, and the
trained guards and Bavarians began
their work in a manner rejecting
their confidence.
In the repeated changes in positions
both sides employed all the tactics OF
modern warfare. After artillery
preparation direct advances some.
times were made; at other times en-"
veloping movements were tried. With
the Americans there operated fe"
light French armored motor cars
which did brilliant work in rushing
the line, at times their guns replying
point blank to those of the Germans.
Scores of times the khaki and gray
clad men met in the streets of little
town and on the slopes of the river
banks in hand to hand encounters.
The bayonet was used, but the Amer
leans effectively used their pistols as
well.
There was much fighting actually in
1.-THE water, where the Germans at
tempted to run their antagonists to
the south bank Of the stream. There
were times when the blood tinted
and muddied stream gave evidence OF
the violence of the conflict. There
were many dead els result Of wound
ed men being drowned.
It was late this afternoon when
Sergy for the sixth time was in the
possession of the Americans. At the
same time it was reported that every
other position held by the Americans
Sunday night had been retaken.
From Other parts of the long line
from scissors around to Rheims came
reports of the allied lines everywhere
holding and at some points advanc-
ing.
On the American right the brilliant
cavalry support Of the Frenchmen has
contributed materially to the Ameri-
can success.
Today was clear but with light
clouds. There was little wind and the
weather generally was ideal for aerial
activity Both sides took full advan-
tage Of this.
The heavy guns Of the allies, ignor-
ing to a great extent the engagements
in progress almost under their muz-
zles, roared with redoubled fury dur
ing the day, their charges falling
among the massed troops and the re-
serves and the long transports on the
road. The allied aircraft again assist
ed in harassing the troop movements
and also carried out observations The
Germans also employed observation
and combat planes, but the superior
ity of the allies in the air was mark
ed.
Although the German operations
have materially stiffened, there ap-
parently is no good military reason to
believe that the strength of the de-
fense is intended otherwise than in a
determined effort to check the great
pressure of the allied troops while
the Germans are in retreat and also
perhaps to administer serious losses
to the Americans.
1t is generally believed that the
Germans will not make a stand until
they have reached more advantageous
oco,,.J o1tho,1oI, If &c nnCCjh1a that