New Britain herald., 1927-07-18
AMERICAN Marines
fight HOT Battle
One Killed in Routing Nicara'
guam Rebels

Managua. Nicaragua. July Is Up
brilliant achievement has
been written into the annals Of the
United States marines through their
successful defense OF Ocotal against
the recalcitrant liberal general,
SANDING, who recently flouted the
authority of both Nicaragua and
the United States.
The battle was as fierce an en-
r "a cement as has ever been record
cd in Nicaraguan history. 1t con-
tinued for II hours until General
Sandino's followers. numbering 400
and armed with machine guns,
we're badly beaten yesterday and
dispersed by the marines, whose
forces numbered 80. and Nicaraguan
constabulary to the number of Al.
The latest government reports
show that 100 of the rebels were
killed by the joint forces of ma
rines and constabulary and 200
killed by the terrific bombing of
: the Ave planes sent from Managua.
10 miles to the south. by Brig
adler General Logan Feland of the
marines, when he heard the ma
rine force was greatly outnumbered.
The planes few low and raked the
rebels.
One Marine Killed
One marine, Michael A. Obelski,
of Roulette. Pennsylvania, was
killed. He was buried at Ocotal. An
other marine. Charles Sidney Gar
rison, OF Asheville, N. c.. was Sc
riously wounded. being shot through
the face and shoulder. He has a
chance to recover. One member of
the constabulary. which was under
command of Lieutenant Grover
Darnell, was seriously wounded.
Boosting that he would drink
Yankee blood" SANDING led his fol-
lowers to the attack Friday morn
ing. No news of the encounter was
received at Managua until two
scouting planes came from Ocotal
reporting that SANDING was attack
ing the place and the fighting was
intense. General Feland Immediate
ly despatched the five bombing
planes under Major Ross E. Row
ell and 1t was probably the arrival
of these planes that saved the day.
After the fighting had been in
progress for several hours. SANDING
sent a messenger to Major G. D.
Hatfield, in command of the marines
at Ocotal. requesting a Commute
truce. Major Hatfield replied that
the truce would last only so long
as the bearer of the white flag was
in sight.
Greatly Handicapped
The Americans were greatly
Handicapped. as Ocotal is a rebel
center, many sympathizers having
arms and ammunition hidden in
their houses. When the fighting be-
gan more than 100 Joined SANDING,
and there was considerable sniping.
Lieutenant Bruce soon captured
and cleaned out all snipers.
According to a government re-
mort, conservative senator living
in Ocotal, Jose Maria Paguaca, was
murdered by the rebels while seek
ing safety. Ramiriz Abuanza, poll
tical chief of Ocotal. was wounded
in the left arm during the fighting.
General SANDING did not get into
the thickest part OF the fighting,
directing his forces from a safe dis
lance. Latest reports said he was
fleeing to the northeast with a few
followers. Among the rebel dead Is
General Marina, Sandino's right
hand man.
General Feland commended
Major. Hatfield and Major Roweli
for. their bravery The scouting
planes proved their worth, for IT
they had not arrived. with the re-
port of the fight against overwhelm-
ing odds, a different story might
have been written. The telegraph
lines had been cut, and they
brought the first news. enabling
General Feland to send the bomb
ing planes. The fight of the bomb
ing, planes to Ocotal through a ter
rife storm was a brilliant feat.
General Feland has given orders
for his bombing squadron to de-
stroy any concentration of SANDING
forces.
It is stated In government quar-
ters that General SANDING, who has
been occupying American mines at
San Fernando, and recently refused
to surrender when called upon to
DO SO by Major Hatfield, gathered
a strong force by belittling the ma
rines and .constabulary telling his
followers there would be no diff
Guilty in Overwhelming Ocotal.
The prevailing belief was that
SANDING would never attack the
marines, but the report Is that
spies in Ocotal advised him Of the
small number of marines and con-
'tabulary there.