The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-19
lBx WILLIAM J. sHANAHAN)

This month is a busy one" for veterans of the Yankee Division Last week the 1O4th Infantry cele- brated Apremont Day and on Sat- urday, April 20th, the local Veter- ans will celebrate the three-day en- gagement at Seicheprey, against picked troops of the German army
 This village is north of Toul just about mile beyond the St. Dezler Metz road in an area that was la ter named the American Sector.
 The Division had spent the month of February 1918, and part | of March with the French ill The | Chemin de Danes. Then they re- turned to an area around NeWf- chateau for further training.
 But the breakthrough of the Ger mans in the area they had just left necessitated changes at the front and so an Easter Sunday night the Division relieved the First Division who were occupying this section. The 102nd Infantry relieved units of the 26th Infantry. The territory was mostly marshy, gently rising toward the north to large table land called Mon Sec that overlooked the whole area to the south as far ss Foul. Trenches were bad, broken down in some places with no drain age, and with little protection from overhead for the men. It was im- possible to keep dry in the first days of April, but towards the first of May, by constant work, great improvement was made. The whole place was pitted with shell holes, particularly Remieres Wood, small knoll that was northwest of Jury Wood on the right. In this posi- Cicn whatever foliage it had was long ago destroyed by continual shell fire of German Artillery. All that was left were black Stumps pointing heavenward with broken down trenches.
 Hint Of Summer
 The evening of April 18th was quiet and gave promise of the com ing summer. The stars shone out bright and clear as the 1St Batal- lion of the 1O2nd Infantry, Cos. A, B, c and D. moved to take over their allotted areas. Go. D. was on the left front and Co. c occupied the right position in Remieres Wood. Go. B. had the position south of the town and Co., A had two platoons to B's right facing the in- Terval in front, one platoon to the right and in the rear of Co. c rest ing on Jury Wood while the 4th platoon was south of the main road. French troops occupied Jury Wood to the east.
 At 1:45 A. M. Go. As platoon commanders reported in position and the Company commander pas Sed the word "Mistletoe" to Bat talion Headquarters in the town.
 An attack was expected some where along the front. For some time German observation planes had flown overhead reporting the result of their artillery fire, Reg mental headquarters received word that new troops had arrived behind the German lines.
 Trucks had been heard going over the roads for several nights. Or derS had been given that Tn case of attack all positions must be held at all costs"
 At 3 A. M. the answer came when the most terrific barrage fell upon the 1st Battalion Sector. It was still dark and when daybreak came here was a thick fog and it was . impossible to see any distance. The men took their battle positions. h. formation could be gotten only by messenger as all telephone and tel egraph wires had been cut. Our ar tiliery began counter battery at tack on German gun positions. Ma chine guns opened fire in direction ot enemy positions through the fog. First-Hand Weapons Patrols were sent out to the right and left from the village to make contact with the enemy and stop ped a detachment on the north ot the village. The kitchen detail that was preparing breakfast for UAAS HotOoAAoLA NAOI tIlC been placed in the village) rushed to the attack with the first weapons they could take hold of-cleavers. knives and axes.
 The main attack came both on the right and left. One force against Go. D position began short ly after the opening of the barrage Here several prisoners were taken but the German casualties were heavy.
 On the right Co. c met the force that approached the Remieres Wood through little hollow and had cut the wires in front. Here. the men used their rifles and hand grenades to good effect.
 As the morning advanced the fog slowly passed away and It. Bright's platoon of Co. A moved forward ano took up position along what was left of an old road between the vil- lage and Remieres Wood where they remained until near noon. Maj Rau then placed them in new posi- tions in the village where they re- mained until the following morn ing.
 It was found that a considerable force was still north of the village