"In the bend of the Marne at the mouth of the Surmelin," says Colonel Palmer, "not a German was able to land.

In all twenty boats full of the enemy were sunk or sent drifting harmlessly down the stream." To the east of Mezy also, four American platoons did incredible things in defence of the Paris-Nancy railway.

"They were not going to yield that track alive--that was the simple fact." And their losses were appalling.

In the second platoon of the four engaged, all were killed except three who were wounded, and half of the third were down before they had driven the enemy from the embankment.

The American graves lie all on the south side of the line--the German on the north.