New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-07-19
BATTLEFIELD IS
Scene OF CARNAGE
Troops Cleaning Up Place Of
NiCaraguan Fight

Managua, Nicaragua, July 10 Up
Fearful of an epidemic, the authori-
ties at Ocotal, scene of Sundays IT.
hour engagement between the forces
OF General SANDING, rebel leader,
and a joint body of 80 United States
marines nd a group of Nicaraguan
,,constabulary are cleaning up the
city which has the appearance of a
big graveyard. -
Flocks of great vultures descended
upon the battle ield over which the
bodies of about 800 of General San
idinos men lay scattered, most of the
killed meeting death from bombs
dropped by five planes ordered from
Managua to the rescue of the ma
rine force at Ocotal by Brigadier-
General Logan Feland.
The rebel force, which attacked
Ocotal at one o'clock Sunday morn
ing, succeeded in bringing down one
American plane, but the aviators es-
capped safe nd landed in Ocotal.
The plane was piloted by Sergeant
Albert S. Munsch. One bullet pune
,tured the gas tank and another bull
let went through the pilots pistol
holster.
Sergeant Munsch was accompan-
led by Marine Gunner Michael Wo-
darczyk. who was on patrol mis-
sion in another plane. Wodarczyk
reported that lie looking for Gen
eral Sandino's forces he saw group
of me southwest of San Fernando,
tcircled over them and then dropped
a bomb after he had been fired on.
Wodarzcyk's plane was hit three
times, one bullet missing his leg
narrowly.
Major G. D. Hatfield, in command
,of the marine force at Ocotal re-
ported last night that all was we'll
and that a column under Major
Floyd was marching on the town for
the purpose of preventing General
SANDING from reorganiZing his
forces. Late reports indicated that
the rebel chieftain was being de-
serted by the remainder of his band.
A graphic account of the fight, in
which one marine, Private Michael
IA. Obleski of Roulette, Pa, was
killed, has been received by Presi-
dent Adolfo Diaz from Arnaldo Ra-
mirez Abaunza, one of the leading
citizens of Ocotal. The account de-
scribed the battle as one of the f1erc-
est in the history of Nicaragua.
Abaunza said that General San
dino attacked city from(all direc-
tons Sunday morning, the troops
shouting and cheering for SANDING
and crying death to the Ameri-
cans"
The fighting became general. with
the marine force and the Nicara,
guam constabulary returning a hot
fire with rifles and machine guns.
THE hosts of SANDING sweep on,
Abaunza said in his report, at
tempting to capture the municipal
park. to use the stone wall for pro-
lection. 1t is now daylight-tht
Americans have not retreated ar
inch. The constabulary MAINTAIN
their position. The American sharp
shooters are piling up the dead
In another part of his message
Abaunza said:
"sandino remains at the. entrance
Of the city directing the movements
of his troops. He sends a note u
,tbe heroic Captain Hatfield, intimat'
ing that as he (Hatf1eld) had ne
water he would eventually have u
surrender. Hatfield replied: Ike
ceived your message, and say WITT
~ without water, marine nevel
surrenders. We remain here uhtl
we die or are captured
"The captain and his gallant mer
are fighting like lions. The hghtlht
continues" ~,
Describing the arrival OF tn
American bombing planes, the &C
count continued:
Five airplanes are seen AT p. III
They approach in battle formation
then they get in line flying 10" an'
open fire with their ten macnlne
runs. They drop bombs on San
dinos army which is now beginning
"a retreat. The explosions OF severa
bombs are heard consecutively. 1
was as if hell broke loose-qu1cK OK
n,osions then heavy thunderlnl
one. something indescribable. IN
hombardment lasts about thlrt.
minutes"
Ahaunza then told how the rebel
had retreated and how the citizen
of the town rushed into the street y
congratulate the American marin
force for the defense of the town
y Four members of the constabular'
were wounded and none killed.