Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-21
GERMAN FLTERS
HURL BOMBS ON
U.S.. ENGINEERS
Shells Dropped on French
Military Train Operated
by Americans
HOW WAR CROSS WAS WON
HEADQUARTERS OF THE AMERICAN
ARMIES IN FRANCE. Sept. 81.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE AMERICAN
ARMIES IN FRANCE, Sept. 81.
One military railroad close behind the
fighting lines is being operated today by q
regiment OF American transportation en-
gineers, some OF whom have already re-
ceived their baptism Of fire from an attack
ing German airplane.
l visited the Americans as they arrived
at their new barracks. They were welcomed
by the roaring and humping Of French
guns few kilometers distant. where an
artillery duel was raging. Airplanes swoop-
ed overhead, patroling the sky for the
Yankees
En- route TO their positions behind the
front the American boys gazed from car
windows at evidences Of real war. They
passed through shattered towns and were
much interested in the rusting wreck of a
train that had been bombed some time be.
fore
The soldier tells OF how one American
railroad crew was forced to take refuge
under the tender OF their locomotive a few
nights ago. when German airplane at
tackled. The Teuton 1ier was attracted by
the glare Of the engines fireboN in the
dark. He first dropped bombs around the
Americans and their train. then few low
chine gun at the Sammees. When he de-
parted the Americans emerged from their
temporary shelter, mounted the bullet
pecSed train and continued on their way
Recurrent nocturnal arplane raids in the
region OF the American engineers new bar
racks have filled the troops with an en-
thusiasm for digging day and night If nee
essary, 70 complete their dugouts and bomb
proof shelters, although they dotest shovel
work
Members Of the United States units now
taking charge Of railroad operations were
recruited from the great American rail-
ways. They include operation experts from
many western cities. All are in the best
OF health and they are all happy.
WINNERS Or WAR CROSS
Details Of the first baptism Of fire of
United states army officers here with the
American expeditionary force can now be
published since all have returned safely.
and two Of them-Brgadier General George
Duncan and Major Campbell King-have
been awarded the War Cross by the French
Government.
1.-THE awarding OF the War Cross to Briga
dier General Duncan and Major King was
published exclusively by the EVENING
LEDGER yesterday
These officers with other Americans OF
rank had thrilling experiences tho other
day when they took part as observers in
the French drive against the German Crown
Prince to the north OF Verdun. when posl.
tions along a 1ftecn-mile front on both
sides of the Meuse were wrested from the
enemy.
This was the first action IN which Amer
leans. as part OF the United States army,
figured, and the brilliant, smashing rapid
success of General Petain's forces in this
section is regarded as a happy augury OF
future activities Of the American army.
The officers who were engaged, were more
than observers-the United States army has
had representatives with the various forces
in the field ever since the war started The
American officers formed an actual part
OF the French lighting units that bounded
over the shellshattered parapets ten min
utes after dawn broke, and strode slowly
forward toward the pulverized German posi-.
tions, in the wake OF the celebrated creep
ing barrage" of artillery fire.
Steel helmets on their heads, revolvers
in hand, their field glasses sung around
their necks, gas masks handy and their
uniforms stripped of all marks denotng
rank, the American officers accompanied
the French platoon and battalion leaders
learning at first sight and directly under
fire how crack "shocls troops" are led into
action in a modern offensive
Although French soldiers fell dead and
dying all around them, and a number Of