Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-09-05

Ground With Hands Until Ends Of
Fssssrs Wsrs Practically Worn on.
One OF the greatest problems Ameri-
can officers have before them + Inn
pr sslng upon their men the absolute
Importance OF learning the best ways
III keeping under cover. The Amerf-
can solder Is not 4 natural digger
In He Is much like his Canadia:i
brother in arms In that respect. for Il
Is an old saying on the British front
that Canadians viii die In the last
ditch. but never dig II.
II Is the American spirit. rs II was
that Of the Canadians. to stand mp and
fight, but the world war has long since
passed that stage. and now In the long
wear and worry OF 4 struggle Of attri-
ton the best commander Is the one
who best conserves his men by keep
ing them under cover
One " the great reasons why the
Germans still are In France and Bel
GUM Is their wonderful facility for
digging themselves In. They have a
perfect passion for II and an incentive
as well. for the allied artillery never
ceases to pound them day and night
Can't Enthuss Over Shovel.
The German belief that they can dig
faster than modern army can ad-
vance. is one Of the principles Of their
defensive tactics Notwithstanding all
that has been told siong this line. NOT
withstanding the heroic efforts TO rouse
his enthusiasm over the pick and show
ell. the American soldier has remained
decidedly lukewarm. He came to
France to fight the Germans. he says.
and not to dig hole and look at them
through spygiass. The French.
Canadian and Australian soldiers all
resent the idea II digging In and would
not admit the ~ ssity OF doing SO un-
IN bitter losses saught them dearly
bought lesson
II Is purely a matter OF temperament.
and there seems to be no doubt now
that only actual battle experience win
convince American soldiers that the
ability to take advantage of any hit OF
cover Is one Of the greatest assets the
modern man at arms can have
lit seems u shame 10 have to curb
the fine lighting spirit OF our troops"
said an American training officer. but
the men must lie made TO understand
as far as possible that impetuosity
must be subortiinated TO steadiness.
This has becope time clock war.
The men must advance la given time
and 60 no farther Every step of In
fantry advance mus; first be worked
out with the artillery. and when the
plan Is arranged II must be strictly nd
hered to-"
The natural lighting man. II seems
has natural antira.hy 10 digging In.
Even In these late youths OF war Rrif-
isl To:nmiss would much rather remain
above ground and stand chances of-gei-
ting Killed by shells than to dig the
deep dugouts so adored by the Germans.
In planning the battle Of Messines
Ridge. which was Il model Of clean cut
victory. the British commander took
into account the lighting mans point Of
view. and when the advance had reach
ed stage where II gave the British
covered high ground the fighting men
We're directed to take rest. while spe-
ciaily Organized labor batfalions were
rushed up from the rear to do the neces-
sary digging aud consolidating OF new
trenches. so as 70 make them thorough
~ proof against counterattack.
American o. ks That Plan.
The result was that the fighting men.
uuhamtered and unworried Nv neces-
| sity OF digging. went forward later In
| the day and took o,,ectiyes that we're
rather hoped for than actually expect
ed Those are the tactics the Ameri-
can lighting man Would Ike TO see
They appeal TO Him. but Just now he
Is being put through = pretty still
course of digging. This does not ap-
ply to digging trenches alone He Is
being taught how 10 d x himself III In
| diXiflulfl. While kyfua Naf an fna