Making their way around the German positions, they stumbled upon elements of the Prussian 210th Reserve Infantry Regiment, which had been moved up as reinforcements.
The Germans were resting after a forced march the night before and had set their weapons aside when confronted by the Americans. caught off guard, the Germans surrendered.
On a nearby hill, German machine gunners noticed what was happening and swung their weapons towards the Americans.
They shouted for their countrymen to get down before unleashing a torrent of fire on the Americans, hitting both the doughboys as well as their fellow Germans.
Of the 17 Americans, six were killed outright and three were wounded, whilst some the remaining troops guarded the POWs.
York was now the senior NCO of the remaining eight that were capable of putting up resistance.
York advanced to a better position, about 50 yards from the Germans. Laying prone, York began to fire into the German machine gun crew and supporting riflemen.
There is some controversy as to what rifle York used. Some suggest that he was armed with a Springfield M1903, chambered in 30-06.
Even his statue in Nashville Tennessee depicts him wielding this firearm.
It was more likely, however, that he used an M1917 Enfield, a version of the British pattern 14 Enfield which was modified to fire the 30-06 cartridge.
