Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-10-27
]. S. SOLDIERS
NOW ACTUALLY
IN FIGHTING
First Contingent in France
Goes to First Line
Trenches.
u. S. GUNNERs
SHE'LL GERMANS
American Men, Cannon and Ammuni-
ton Participating in Great Battle
Now Raging on Western Front
Fighting Alongside Veteran French
BattaIons in One Of Quietest Sectors
-AmbuIanee Men in Albania.
IBy the Associated Press.l


With the American Army in France
Oct. 27.-American troops are in the
first line trenches on the French front
The artillery fired the first shot al
s o'clock in the morning Of recen'
day on~a German working party. There
has been intermittent artillery fight
ing since.
A helmeted infantry regiment
marched in without the knowledge Of
the enemy on the same night, thru
rain and mud. The French soldiers in
tho trenches welcomed them enthusi-
astically.
The nearest enemy trench is severa
hundred yards away. The sector is one
Of the quietest on the front. It has
not been taken over being under con-
troll Of troops under direction Of the
French.
The Americans have shelled German
trenches and troops, the enemy sending
shell for shell.
-sEs..le he slirss sheiF sease VIII be sent te
President Wilson.
Officially Announced.
The following is the first official
statement issued from American head
quarters:
I'm continuation Of their training as
a nucleus for instruction later a con-
tingent of some battalions Of our first
contingent, in association with veteran
French battalions are In the first line
trenches Of a quiet sector on the
French front. They are supported by
some batteries Of our artillery in as
sociation with veteran French bat
teries.
'The sector remains normal. Our
men have adapted themselves to actual
trench conditions in the most salts
factory manner"
Getting Real Experience.
The case is now in the possession OF
General Sibert. The shot was fired
by a ed-haired gunner as his com.
rades in the ranks and the assembled
officers cheered. Later a luncheon ir
the field was attended by the American
and French artillerists in celebration
of the first American contact with the
enemy.
The gun used in firing the first sho
was one cf the French famous 75s. Or
the second day the French located {
Germany battery which was located
by sound and the enemy replied, shells
falling closely to the Americans, wht
Joined in.
Thus the American expeditionar1
force is getting real war experience.
Standing not far from the trenche!
the Associated Press correspondent
watched the troops marching up in TIL
rain. It was soon after lulls in the fir
ing and in the dark that the first ma
chine guns hauled by Missouri mules
the drivers swathed in ponches and
with shrapnel helmets over their eyes
came upon the road bordering canal
Go to the Front Whistling.
The Americans swung down thl
street apparently as proud as tho on {
dress parade, notwithstanding tina
they had marched miles from the bill.
lets where they had been since comint
by motor truck apd railway from th'
instruction centers. AS the rank.
passed, every now and then soldiel
could be heard whistling softly to him
self, his nearby comrades listening 81
lently to sentimental and populal
pieces.
The troops entered the trenches safe
ly. unit by unit, passing quickly to thu
places assigned to them. Quietness wa!
essential, but tthe French welcome wa
none the less enthusiastic.
Greeted Effusiveiy. ~
Every American was shaken by tn,
hand, some were hugged and ever
kissed on both cheeks in the French
custom. Some Of the French troop!
were those who helped to train tn,
Americans.
The trenches were muddy but new,
ertheless in an excellent condition o
consolidation The greetings being owe
the Americans settled down and a
daylight thru low-hung, drippin.
clouds they got their first view OF tn,
German lines. 1t has rained daily sine,
and the troops now are covered Will
mud. Officers say they are certain tn,
Germans know the Americans are .op
posite them but there has been no spe
cial activity.
One American battery observed ant
scattered marching enemy grouI
with shell fire.
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