The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-19
ESCAPE FROM
IRREGULARS
AFTER FIGHT
67 Irregulars Either Killed or
Wounded - COnstabulary
Loses Four Men
HUNT FOR MISSING MEN
Contingent of 600 C0nstabu-
larry Formed to Fight
General SANDING
HUNT FOR MISSING MEN

Managua, Nicaragua, Oct. H.
(AP)-After severe fighting with
force of 500 outlaws who suddenly
closed in on them, a patrol of 40
American marines and constabulary
has escaped from irregulars operat-
ing in the Nueva Sergovia depart
mcnt
Sixty-seven irregulars were killed
or wounded and four members of the
constabulary were killed in the bat.
tie.
The fighting occurred when the
patrol tried to penetrate bandit
strongholds in search Of two marine
corps aviators, Second Lieutenant
2. A. Thomas and Sergeant Frank
+. Dowdell, who were last seen run
ming from their wrecked plane near
Quilali.
One small patrol led by Private
Jacon Trccn. passing through the
brush, engaged in fierce fight with
the bandits, killing four of them.
The patrol finally managed to cut
its way out, but lost horses, mules.
rations, blankets and a compass in
the encounter.
Fierce Fighting Reported
The report Of the fighting sent
here by the commander of the patrol,
Lieutenant George j. j. O'Shea, COM
manding a detachment at Jicaro, and
Lieutenant j. B. O'Neil described
two instances which indicated the
intensity Of the battle. One MEM
ber of the Guardia Nacional con-
tinued to fight after his rifle barrel
had been shot away and Private
Kenneth Struck was credited with
saving Lieutenant O'Shea's life when
he picked off a bandit who had the
drop OH O'Shea at close quarters.
The patrol had made a forced
march to the region near Quilali in
an effort to find the missing flyers
who crashed near Surotilla mountain
while dropping bombs on General
Augusta Sandino and his followers
early this month. The aviators were
seen running from their burning
plane. They 'signalled that they
were not hurt. Since then scouting
expeditions have been unable to To-
cate the flyers.
New Expedition Planned
A contingent of 900 constabulary
is now being formed as an expedi-
tionary force against General San
dino, who was the only one of the
liberal General Moncada's lieuten-
ants to reject the Nicaraguan set
tlement effected by Colonel Henry
J.. Stimson. The activities of the
irrcgulars under his command have
increased in the mountain region to
which he fled. July 25 his forces
ambushed Il detachment of marines
and constabulary near Ocotal. One
marine was killed and several of the
constabulary wounded. A week be-
fore 800 irregulars were killed and
100 wounded in an encounter. AM
nesty has been offered to those of
Sandino's followers who would lay
down their arms.
The report Of the most recent en-
counter says that the detachment was
advancing cautiously in the vicinity
Of the mountain where the plane
crashed. Suddenly it was attacked
from three sides by bandit force of
800. They we're we'll armed, having
plenty Of ammunition and dynamite
bombs.
Despite their courageous fight
against superior numbers, the re-
port states, the patrol was forced to
withdraw and fight its way to the
rear. Using hand grenades and auto
matte rifles, Lieutenant O'Neil and
Private Henry Mckenzie killed seven
bandits, including their leader, May.
ora.
Machine Guns Silenced
Due to the heavy bush and con.
slant machine gun fire from the BAN
dts, the fighting was difficult.
Lieutenant O'Shea and Privates Co.
lah and Welch silenced the machine
guns, however.
The bandits then reorganized, the
report continues, and began to close
in. Finally, after two hours and Is
minutes of fighting, the patrol took
to the bushes. It succeeded in es-
Gaping by passing between two
groups of the irregulars. One bandit
was captured.
The patrol followed the ravine of
a small stream and after q forced
march reached safety.