From Ronchères to Vrigny progress was again very slow. On the 30th and 31st the Germans counter-attacked north of Fère and in the valley of the Ardre, where they burnt Poilly Village. However, the Americans captured Cierges, while the French made progress towards Nesles Wood and in Meunière Wood. AMERICAN UNITS ENGAGED FROM JULY 26 TO 29, 1918. WITH GENERAL DEGOUTTE’S ARMY. =1st Corps= (_see composition, p. 27_). The 26th Division was relieved by the: =42nd Division= =Major-General Chas. T. Menoher.= comprising: _83rd Infantry Brigade_ _Brig.-Gen. M. J. Lenihan_ _84th_ “ “ “ “ _Robert A. Brown_ _67th Artillery_ “ “ “ _C. McKinstry_ */ =4th Division= (_see composition, p. 27_). Crossed the Ourcq on July 28 and fought desperate combats to the north of that river. WITH GENERAL DE MITRY’S ARMY. =32nd Division= =Major-General William G. Haan=. comprising: _63rd Infantry Brigade_ _Brig.-Gen. W. D. Connor_ _64th_ “ “ “ “ _Ed. B. Winans_ _57th Artillery_ “ “ “ _Le Roy G. Irwin_ =28th Division= =Major-General Charles H. Muir.= comprising: _55th Infantry Brigade_ _Brig.-Gen. T. W. Darrah_ _56th_ “ “ “ “ _Wm. Weigel_ _53rd Artillery_ “ “ “ _Wm. G. Price_ The forces continued the pursuit of the retreating enemy. [Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL ROBERT L. BULLARD. Commanding the 3rd Corps.] [Illustration: BY AUGUST 4 (4/8) THE SALIENT HAD BEEN ENTIRELY FLATTENED OUT.] The Offensive of August 1. Having established themselves on high dominating positions forming a strong line of resistance, the Germans believed they would now be able to check the Allies, who, after fifteen days of hard fighting, would, no doubt, be exhausted. In a semi-official _communiqué_ addressed to the German people, Hinderburg explained and justified his “strategical retreat” and again promised victory, adding that the “decisive blow” had only been “temporarily postponed.”