Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-04-27
REPORT on Bis
| sEIcHEpREY BATTLE
Inferior Force OF Americans Drove or
German Regiment Reinforced
BY Shock Troops.

"S'sSS VVTCe VI americans OT0Ne on
German Regiment Reinforced
BY Shock Troops.
American Army in France.-The re.
port sent to- American headquarters
the commander in the field CONCERNING
the gallantry Of an inferior force OF
Americans in Ayiying OF 1900 German
shock troops in the battle at Seiche-
prey on the sector northwest Of Toul
closes as follows:
-"Our troops were overwhelmed by
the superiority Of the enemy;s num-
bers. but they fought to a finish"
Detadls Of the battle show that the
Germans shot liquid fire at the Amer
icans at close range. Every German
shock company included eight men
armed with contrivances for shooting
the vicious flames. They used them
at range Of 30 feet. The reserve
companies each had one hquid4fire
expert.
The latest reports show that the
main German attacking force was
made up Of picked men from the 259th
Regiment, with shock and grenade
troops as "flankers."
It Is officially admitted that the en-
gagement was the severest In which
American troops have yet taken part.
From wounded Americans now lying
in an evacuation hospital it is learned
that the Americans chased the Ger
mans Through ruined houses when
they recaptured the village of Seiche-
prey, after an all-day battle. Amer
leans and Germans engaged in bay
onet and pistol duels in cellars and
rooms Of houses partly demolished by
the enemy's artillery.
Americans, finding themselves dis
armed, fought their German opponents
with their fists.
''Tell them back home that we are
just beginning" said an American lad
who was in the thick Of the fight and
severely wounded with shrapnel cit
was fine to see our men go at the
Huns. All of us who thought baseball
was the great American game have
changed our minds. There is only
one game to keep the American flag
flying is. kill the Huns. l got
several before they got me-"
The other men in the hospital were
of the same spirit, while in a nearby
ward was wounded German prisoner.
who, it develops, was spared after he
had held up his hands. at the same
time carrying concealed bombs. This
fellow sneeringly and in a sulky man
ner waved of the American guard
with one hand. A nurse said he had
given more trouble than all the Amer.
leans combined.
There appears little doubt that the
Germans thought they would go
through the American line, as they
once boosted they would go through
Great Britains' contemplate little
army,
The enemy made another attempt
at line occupied by the American
troops on the right bank of the Meuse
soon after the attack near Seicheprey.
Sixty of the enemy started a raid, but
were repulsed by heavy fire.
Some Of the Germans reached the
American entanglements and were left
dead hanging to the wire, but the
enemy carried of all his wounded.
An American raid against the enemy
line nearby was carried out about t.,e
same time. and one of the raiding
forces was brought back dead and one
wounded.
Reports coming in today relative to
the fight in the foul sector show that
the losses sustained were no larger
than what could reasonably be expect.
ed from such an engagement, which
was the most severe of any in which
American troops have taken part. The
hand, were much greater than he had
expected, as is evidenced by more
than 300 dead Germans in the Amer
lean trenches and in No Mans Land
His losses in wounded are unknown,
as disabled men were dragged back to
the German trenches.
An American officer brought in a
new German revolver. 1t is rapid
f1rer resembling a miniature machine
gun, and made its first appearance
against the Americans.
Not far from the scene of the Amer
lean first big fight against the enemy
is the village where Joan Of Arc was
born. From the hill where the market
girl saw the vision which called her
to the defense of France one now can
see fine young Americans marching
toward the front. They are cheered
by the French, who remain in their
homes, Notwithstanding the roar OF
the German guns, confident in their
defenders.
A BOLSHEvIk AMBASSADOR.