Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-15


heavily with gas. Americans did not
stop in Cierges itself. They went
around it and in a magnificent dash
stormed the northern slopes. Then,
after a short rest, they captured part
of the Jomb'cts woods.
During this time the French had
advanced on the right, and they de-
bouchcd from the Meuniere woods,
which they cleaned out thoroughly
"On August |. the Americans had
a new series of obstacles ahead of
them, most important being Roddy
farm, and Hill No. 23O. During the
previous days fighting they had al
ready shown keen sense for infan-
try maneuvering, employing the tao
tcal means which are most sure of
accomplishing thei" purpose and Civ
ing evidence of fine qualities of in
itiative and imagination. In addi-
ton, they showed excellent knowl-
edge of the use of machine guns,
auto rifles and light mortars. That
is why they were able again to re-
duce the German defenses. Hill No.
go was taken in a superb manner
and seventy prisoners secured.
Fight Seventy-two Hours Straight
"From that moment the enemy
fed and only weak rear guards were
left to oppose the advance of the
Americans. These latter swept these
obstacles before them on the route
and took, without much difficulty,
Chamery, Moncel, Nillome. At
Cohan the Germans hung on for
several hours, but they had to give
up at the end of the day the United
States troops had attained the
heights to the north of Dravegny.
Consequently a progress of six or
seven kilometers had been made in
the day of August ,. For seventy
two hours straight the infantry had
fought, in spite of the difficulty of
procuring food caused by the fact
that only narrow road accorded
the conveys an opportunity of COM
ing up and that hard rain soaked
the roads.
"ln spite of the fatigue and pri-
vations of the advance units the
pursuit was taken up again at dawn
August 3. Line which runs by
Les BouIeauN was reached easily
enough. But then the enemy turned
and faced the Americans with many
sections of machine guns and
strong artillery, which rained down
on the villages of the valley, cross
roads and the ravines.
at was necessary to retire
methodically and maneuver on the
strong points of the adversary. This
permitted the United States troops
to reach the slopes north of Mont
Saint Martin and Saint Giles. The
division has thus added to its gains
seven kilometers deep.
"One last supreme effort would
permit it to attain Fismes and the
Npsle.
"On August 4, the infantry com
bats localized with terrible fury.
The outskirts of Fismes were solidIy
held by the Germans, where their
advance groups were difficult to take.
The Americans stormed them and
reduced them with their light NOR
tars and 37s. They succeeded, though
not without loss, and at the end of
the day, thanks to this slow but sure
tenacity, they were within one kilo-
meter of Fismes, masters of Vile
SavOye and of Chezelle Farm.
Advance on Nesle River
"All night long the rain hindered
their movements and rendered their
following days task more arduous.
"On the right the French had, by
similar stages, conquered the series
of woods and swamps of the
Meuniere Woods to the east of
Saint Giles and were at this hour on
the plateau of the Bonnemaison
Farm.
"To the left, another American
unit had been able to advance upon
the Vesle to the east of Saint Thi-
baut.
"On August 5 the artillery pre-
pared the attack on Fismes by we'll
regulated bombardment, and the
final assault was launched. The
Americans penetrated into the vii
lage and began the task of clearing
the last points of resistance. That
evening this task was almost COM
pleted. We held all the southern
part of the village as far as the
Rheims road and patrols were sent to
the northern part of the village.
Some even succeeded in crossing the
Vesle, but they were satisfied with
making a simple reconnaissance, as
the Germans still occupied the right
bank of the river in great strength.
All that was left was to accomplish
was the complete mopping up of
Fismes and the strengthening of our
positions to Withstand an enemy
counter-attaek.
.Such was the advance of one
American division which pushed for
ward from Roncheres (July 30) a
distance Of eighteen kilometers, and
crowned its successful advance with
The capture Of kisnes."