The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-21
Americans in France Go Thru
Last Stages of Drill.
Thru 1t All Floats Smoke of
"GOOd OF Yankee Makin'S."
PERSHING TO FRENCH FRONT
Will Make Extended Tour of
Gen. Petain's Iron Line.
Sammies Gust French Chas-
seurs From Penetrated Trench

With the American Expeditionary
Army in France. Aug. 21.-American
troops were '.gassed' today.
1t was a purely voluntary gassing.
however, part of the battle hardening
process. The soldiers donned their
gas masks for the first time and were
sent thru regularly built '.gas cham
bers" to meet various kinds of vapors
affected by the enemy in his attacks.
Then there were drills il the DON
ming of the masks and their proper
adjustment. The soldiers quickly
caught the idea and before long were
putting on the air filters in four or
five seconds.
Over the whole Americas camp to-
day there was another kid of va
por." a nice smooth pleasant smelling
one. 1t was the smoke from thou
sands of cigarettes and pipes in which
burned good American tobacco once
again. The quartermaste,' depart
ment announced the arrival of big
shipment Of American ma kin's" and
big run on his store followed.
Pershing to Front
General Pershing is on his way now
to inspect the French front. He left
last evening with General Petain, the
French chieftain, on tour which will
consume several days. The American
general was extremely well pleased
with his inspection of the American
forces yesterday. Genera. Pershing
and General Petain made 4 whirlwind
tour of the American camp. The
French leader came here on a special
train.
Il am extremely well satisfied with
what 1 have seen during the inspec-
tion,' said General Pershing. The
thing that has particularly struck me
is the fine spirit prevailing in the
camp, among both the officers and the
men. The training is progressing rap
idly and satisfactorily
The general then announced he was
leaving for tour of the French front.
Sham Attacks Realistic.
Training in some of the American bat
taiions has progressed to such a point
that sham attacks on the trench sys-
TENS are being carried out with a de-
gree akin to actual warfare. Thus far
artillery fire has been only theoretical
but before long the troops expect to
have the experience of watching the
effect Of real artillery upon the
trenches.
The marines are having some espe-
cially lively engagements this week
with their French instructors. French
Ben attacking the marines defense
system with Dewey, Farragut, Porter
and Sampson trenches as the battle
detectives. The French also have been
attempting to block and hold COM
munication trenches known as Ohio
Mississippi. Delaware and Potomac.
Sammies Gust French.
The marines have been making
stout resistance and wherever the
enemy" penetrated their lines they
organized a counter attack which
quickly elected the intruders. The real
object of these preliminary attacks is
to get the officers and men acquainted
with what are known at the front a.
operation orders.
Another valuable feature in sham
battle exercises is in teaching Ameri-
cans the great Importance of what is
known as liason work, the mainten-
ance of communication with support
ing artillery with thanking forces, with
airplanes, and with information CEN
tiers. The evacuation of wounded un-
der theoretical shell fire is another
feature of sham battles which is re-
ceiving attention