The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-09-04
AMERICANS IN BATTLE.
HARD FIGHTING AHEAD FOR
PERSHING'S MEN.
Additional Gains for Allies North OF
scissors Will Bring Disaster Close.

With the American army in France,
Aug. 20 (S p. n.y. (By the Associated
Press)-I.ate this afternoon the
Americans held positions in the 1lght-
ing line in the scissors region extend
ing in a northerly direction from
Chavigny.
All the skill Of General vor
Schwerin, commanding the Seventh
Guard Division, is being exercised to
hold back the Americans at thelr
point III the line north of scissors ana
to save the Germans from the men
ace they would be under if the Alhes
occupied the plateau extending lar
ther toward the east.
Recovering before the day ended
from, the shock of the early morning
attack Won Schwerin, brought into
play his artillery and other resources
in desperate effort to check the
movement. Equally determined ef-
forts were made by those organlza-
tons in front of the French div1s-
ion on the right and left Of the Amer
leans.
Renorts from points on the line
where the attack is in progress IN
dicate that the Americans are con-
fronted by what is believed by many
to be one of the most determined
stands yet taken by the Germans
who realize that a break at any poln'
would likely be followed by disaster.
The opinion seems to be that ever
yard of territory gained will be OIL
terly contested and that it is not I'M
probable that villages and other op-
iectives will be subjected to the fats
of capture and recaptuTe many tune
before their possession is undlsputed
The rapidity with which the gains
were made by the Americans anc
French early in the day was not du-
plicated in the afternoon when the
battle settled into strong artlller.
duel in which the guns of both sioes
fired often at direct targets and al
unusually close range.
The country which has been tht
battlefield almost four years again /
the scene of conflict which has
started out with the promise of being
most stubbornly fought. Tonight thf
sky is dotted with flashes of shells
while the roar of the barrage and
counter harrage must be audible al.
most to Paris In the back area shells
are falling behind the Americans. bu'
not so frequently as at many times
previously. The Germans apparent
ly are using all their guns and energy
in attempting to tear down the de-
termined lines Of their advancing
enemy.
Two captured officers. when ques-
toned today by intelligence officer
attempted to give the impression tha'
little resistance would be made. as.
suring the officers that there We're
no machine guns left emplaced. Wnlf
telling the story. however, it was be-
ing refuted within their own hear
ing.
How many hundreds of thousands
Of these little guns the Germans have
Immediately in front OF the Amerl-
cans is not known, but the number Is
quite up to the lately developed Ger
man tactics Every hillside, ravlne
and wood crackles with their fire
whenever they are approached. And
it has been in the face of their de-
structive offense that the Americans
and French as we'll have been NOV
ing.
Comparatively little gas has beer
employed by the enemy. perhaps pe-
cause the wind has not been altogetn-
er favorable to its Use. There nave
arrived at the dressing station lie"
cases of men suffering from mustar' =
gas. but most Of them encountered l
in shell holes. hollows and depreS-
sions where it was old, but still ell
fective.
AS the day passed the visibility mn
proved and the aviators Of both sldes
became more active. Those OF the
allies rendered valuable assistance II
work.
The Germans today concentrated
much of their efforts on the destruc-
ton Of tanks.