The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1918-08-02
HUNS COUNTER ATTACK AND
DESPERATE BATTLE WAGES
ALONG WHOLE FRONT.
SOME GROUND is GAINED
Allies Progress 10 Confined to East
Side Of saIlent--New German
Divisions Thrown In Worlds
Biggest Battle.

with the American Army on tht
,Aisne-Marne Front.-Through a bar.
rage as deadly as any the Germans
have laid down on any sector for
months, the American soldiers, com
prising men from the middle wes and
eastern states, pushed their line for.
ward little more and ii forms the
apex of the long allied front.
Their progress was considerable,
though less than two miles, but 1t is
regarded as a brilliant operation in
view of the determined countering by
the Germans.
On either side French moved for
ward, while steady pressure was main.
tanned against east and west flanks.
Information indicated the withdraw
al of the fourth guards but ii developed
that that renowned organization and
the Bavarians we're still on the front
and the strong opposition they offered
justified their reputation. But their
sacrifice was in vain.
The Americans withstood two heavy
attacks during the night and at day
light began their operations which left
them we'll to the north of Sergy on
the long slopes approaching the heavy
woods beyond Nesles, a little town
directly east of Seringes ct Nesles
which the Germans bitterly opposed.
The Germans are holding positions
in Nesles forest, from which their guns
are Smelling ineffectively.
1t was late in the day before the
whole of Seringes was wholly cleared.
The Germans chung to the northern
part OF the town tenaciously and used
their machine guns murderously.
Neither side used artillery In this
particular battle. There was hand-toi
hand fighting In the streets, in which
the Americans proved the masters,
driving the enemy before them.
The story of the fight for the posses
sion OF Meurcy farm, lying directly
south Of Seringes, will be long remem,
bered In the history of these divisions.
The Germans on the withdrawal left
behind strong force of machine gun
ners and infantry. The Americans
moved forward through the yellow
wheat fields, which we're sprayed and
torn by bullets. But they advanced
ms though on drill ground.
The American guns laid down q
heavy artillery fire, but notwithstand'
ing this many Of the Germans re.
NAMED when 1t came to hand-to-hand
fighting. In group of farm buildings
the enemy had set UP strong defense.
Here the Germans stuck to their guns
and the Americans rushed them and
killed the gunners at their posts.
Il was little battle without mercy,
and typical Of similar engagements oc,
curing along the whole line. The
Prussian Guards and Bavarians every
where fought In accordance with their
training, discipline and traditions. but
were outwitted and outfought.
To the north Of the farm, up the
long slopes leading to the woods, the
Americans encountered the fiercest
exhibition of Germany's war science.
The Germans laid down a barrsge
which, It is said. was as heavy as had
ever been employed. The american
guns replied heavily.
The order for the advance came, and
the line moved forward across the
grain fields directly through the bar,
rage. On nearby hillside the chief
staff officers watched the operation,
They saw shells fall. In some cases
leaving long gaps in the line, but the
troops never halted.
On through the barrage the Ameri,
cans went into the German positions,
attacking fiercely the machine gun and
infantry detachments. The barrage
died away, the Germans leaving the
work OF resistance to the men they
had failed to protect with their heavy
guns.
The Germans were 'mopped up" and
me Americans held their new line Just
east Of the forest. Not many prisoners
were taken. but here and there few
were rounded up and brought In.
sergt. Louis Loetz. Of Sioux City. coz
fributed IA. He attacked Is Germans
who had become separated from their
command. killing four Of them and
capturing the others. Awful execution
was done By the Americans. Eight
captured guards said they were all that
remained Of company OF Sc. Their
number had been reduced to 30 and
lieutenant. Later the lieutenant and
an but khey we're killed.