The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-07
YANKEES HOLD
FAST IN FISMES
Americans Resist Desperate
Efforts to DslOdge
Them There.
FOOD SENT IN BY NIGHT
Their Wounded Sent Out I'm
der Heavy Barrage-Town
Filled With Gas.
FOOD SENT IN BY NIGHT
Bv ths Associated Press.

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY ON THE
vxsLs, Aug. 6.-With their backs TO
the Aisne the Germans continued prepa-
rations to-day for what may be either
stiff resistance TO give them more time
for further withdrawal or for definite
stand. Minor actions along the Ameri-
can portion OF the front and in the ad-
Joining French sectors marked the day.
The little force OF Americans 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 heavy barrase all their
wounded have been taken out, and dur
Ing the night food was taken to them.
Efforts to DisIodge Fail.
The Germans have been unremitting
in their efforts TO dislodGe the Amer!-
cans, pounding the town with shells and
deluging 1t with gas,
Numerous efforts have been made to
retake the position, but in every in
stance the accuracy OF the American
fire, both OF the supporting artillery and
the small arms OF the infantry within
it, drove back tho enemy.
To the east and west OF Fismes the
Americans have continued their recon-
naissance work. patrols crossing the
river at different places The detach-
ments however, never exceeded more
than twenty men.
Near - tdeleted) a few men have
remained. and another force is on the
hill over the river near F!smss.
Reports received from the French sec
tors indicate virtually the same situa-
tion from scissors TO Rheims.
Whole Battalion Wiped Out.
American machine gunners, protect
ing a location on the Nesle. west Of
Fismes. wiped out an entire battalion
Of German infantrymen and machine
gunners to-day The Germans at the
time were getting into position 10 at
tack a group of American bridge build
ers who were approaching the location.
Some bridge material already had been
moved near the south bank OF the Vesle,
and the Germans. apparently discovering
this fact. had sent a battalion to hill
position TO prevent the Americans from
y
OF crack American machine gunners
however. previously had taken an ele-
waited position commanding the location
and opened fire when the Germans ap-
peared.
Observers reported Il at they did not
see a single German get away from the
leaden hail. and according to the last
accounts not even enemy stretcher bear
ers approached the scene. The Germans
replied so feebly with their fire, because
of the surprise, that there were no
American casualties
Airmen Again Active.
Clearer weather resulted in more
aerial activity for few hours, but the
clouds reappeared and the rain again
began to fall and the aircraft were
forced to suspend operations.
The Germans Immediately seized the
opportunity OF the few hours of good
weather to send over planes for pho
tographc purposes and incidentally to
shoot up the allied transport. These
planes In every case were quickly forced
back by ant-aircraft guns. Franco
American planes also did some observa-
tion work north of the Nesle.
The engineers have mobilized equlp-
ment for their part OF the advance, and
reports from far back of the line indi-
cate that all elements OF the allied
forces will be Immediately available.
From the German side observers have
reported wagon trains in large numbe rs
Continued on Second Pdoe