The sun., 1918-07-20
YANKEES REPEL.
COUNTER BLOW
NEAR S0ISS0NS
Enemy Brings Up More Men
in Effort to Save Key
to Marne.
AMERICANS ARE EAGER
'It Certainly Was Fun to
Chase Those Germans"
Says a Doughboy.
\ AMERICANS ARE EAGER
by HERBERT BAILEY.


Specid! Cable Despatch to The srS and the
Public Ledger.
Copyright. 1918: all rights ressrted.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE. July 1s.-Intense fighting is
in progress along all parts OF the
Franco-American front between Sois-
sons and Chateau Thierry. German
counter attacks on the heights over
looking Soissons., from which position
the Allies command the railway lines
which supply the Germans operating
along the Marne. failed this morning
under the intense American fire, and
more Germans are rapidly moving to-
ward this region.
In a ruined town this morning saw
a number Of German prisoners. headed
by twelve officers. including a regi-
mental commander The Officers had
serious faces. but the men. all of whom
are well built and apparently from
aermany's best divisions, were un-
usually cheerful. At another place
American wounded were walking
through the streets accompanied by
French wounded. Often these men,
French and American, were walking
along with their arms around each
others waists or shoulders supporting
each other. 1t was a significant spec
tacle.
Before soissons by Might.
The fighting of yesterday. in which
the Americans played their part nobly,
was inspiring and a pleasant turn Of the
tide. As a result of only a few hours
hghting the Americans advanced to
within sight Of Scissors by night. At
points further south, notably near
Torcy. they advanced a mile. while Hill
l72 was captured In n brilliant dash.
Never before have the Americans
fought so extensively. In the Scissors
area they moved to the attack. assisted
by large number OF tanks. speedily
reached their objectives and continued to
press on.
At first the enemy offered stiff resist
ance, but when the Americans got closer
the Germans threw away their machine
guns, rifles and everything else that
threatened to impede them and began to
cry "Kamerad"
Artillery Not Destroyed.
Because of the surprising suddenness
OF the attack the enemy did not have
time to destroy his guns
The wounded Americans / have seen
were e:iultant when I saw those Ger
mans running" said one sturdy, rugged
boy, II certainly was cheered up. It
certainly was fun to go over the top
and chase those Germans"
Despite their bloody bandages they
constituted happy party.
The Americans now have achieved
something very real and important pro-
viding a salutary lesson to Germany
and happy augury for the allied fu-
ture, The German War Minister re-
Gently spoke contemptuously OF the work
OF the Americans in Belleau Wood, re-
marking that they had attacked only
after the German drive was finished,
But In the last few days the Americans
have fought both extensively and de-
fensively. and as a result OF their work
one naturally wonders to what extent
Won Stein has changed his opinion.
Twenty Minutes for a smoke.
The work of the Americans certainly
has been a revelation. East OF Rheims
they held up the German attack on their
section and fought with amazing tenac-
ity and skill.
! travelled through the forest OF VII
lers-Cotterets on Wednesday. In the d.
rection OF Scissors. and 1t certainly was
an inspiring sight to see the American
artillery moving forward. The troops
seemed to enjoy the change from inac-
tion. Many Of them were quietly laugh
ing and chuckling as they rode along
One OF them said to me:
Our captain told US yesterday to have
n good smoke, as We were going over
the top in twenty minutes. When the
time was up he asked us II we were all
ready. and We all yelled that we were.
Then We went over. The Germans
turned their machine guns and artillery
on US and II was hot work for a time.
But before We reached their first line
they started to run, with us hot footing
It after them. 1t certainly was great
sport while 1t lasted"