Evening star., 1917-04-11
STARS AND STRIPES
WAVE IN BATTLE
Young Texan Carries Old Glory
During Canadians Storm
ing of Vimy Ridge.
WOUNDED BY GERMANS


OTTAWA, April II.-The
Stars and Stripes went into bat
tie for the first time during the
world war during the recent en-
tente storming of Vimy ridge in
France, according to an unofficial
dispatch received here today from
Canadian army headquarters in
Europe.
"To a young Texan, who came to
Ontario to enlist, and who is now ly-
ing wounded in the hospital the dis
patch reads, belongs the honor of first
carrying the American flag into battle
in the European war, into which the
United States, as a belligerent, has just
entered. He went up to the assault at
Thelus carrying the Stars and Stripes
on his bayonet and fell thus"
To Garry U. S. Flag.
PARIS, April II. 1:55 p.m.-It was
decided today that the Lafayette flying
have distinguished themselves at the
front, will change from the French to
the American military uniform and
hereafter carry the American flag at
the French front.
First q. S. Unit in Belligerent Ranks
When the American aviators appear
in the uniform of the United States
Army this country will have its first
representation of the war a bel
ligereut. Heretofore the American unit
has constituted an integral part of the
French army, and at the request of the
American government the French war
department some time ago discontinued
use of the name American Flying Corps
to avoid embarra ssment to Washing
ton. After the adoption by Congress of
the war resolution the Americans hoist
ed the Stars and Stripes over their
headquarters, but their official status
was not changed. They are under COM
mand of Capt. Georges Thenault of
the French army.
Achievement by Americans.
In a semi-official communication issued
in Paris last week it was said the Ameri-
cans iau destroy eu tHlrly herman arr
planes during their service on the front
in France. They have taken part in the
heaviest air fighting at Verdun and on
the Somme, and have won wide recogni-
ton of their skill and daring. Sergt
Raoul Lufbery has brought down six
German machines, Sub-Lieut. Bert Hall
three, and a number of other Americans
one each. Lieut.. William Thaw, ranking
officer among the Americans, bested
Fokker at Nerdun and was wounded in
the arm, but is again in service. Sergt
Kitten Rockwell and Sergt. Norman
Prince were killed in action after each
had sent two German machines to de-
struction.
Corp. Victor Chapman brought down
three. Germans and was killed at Yer
dun by Capt. Boelke, the famous Ger
man airman. Sergt. James Mcconnell,
who was decorated with the French
war cross, was killed last month in a
battle over the German lines.
Given Difficult Assignments.
The success of the Americans has led
the French authorities to give them
many difficult and dangerous assign
ments, and they are often to be found
far behind the German lines. 1t was
the Lafayette Corps which escorted the
squadron that bombarded the Mauser
rifle works at Obendorf, leading to sew
eral aerial battles and the destruction
of three German machines. The Amer
lean squadron is well known to the
Germans, who have learned to avoid
contact with it over the French lines.