The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-11-09
AMERICAN BOYS
ENTER TRENCHES
NOW FACING GERMANS SEVERAL
HUNDRED YARDS ACROSS
NO MANS LAND
ARE USING FRENCH CANNON
Men Located at Quiet Place on
Line and Maneuver Believed to
Be Part of Finishing of
Their Training.

With the American Army in France
Oct. 31.-American troops are in the
first line trenches on the front II
France. The artillery fired the frs
shot of the war O'Clock on the
morning of a recent day at German
working party. There has been in
termittent artillery fighting since.
Helmeted infantry marched in with
out the knowledge of the enemy, on
the same night through rain and mud
The French soldiers in the trenches
welcomed them enthusiastically.
The nearest enemy trench is several
hundred yards away. The sector is one
of the quietest on the front. 1t has
not been taken over, being under the
control of troops under the direction
of the French.
The Americans have shelled Ger
man positions and troops, the enemy
sending shell for she'll.
The first shell case will be sent to
President Wilson. The case is now
in the possession of General Sibert.
The shot was fired by red-haired
gunner as his comrades in the ranks
and the assembled officers cheered.
Later a luncheon in the field was at
tended by the American and French
artillerists in celebration of the first
American contact with the enemy.
The gun used in firing the first shot
was one of the famous French 75's.
On the second day the French shelled
a German battery position, which was
located by sound and the enemy re-
piled vigorously, projectiles falling
close to the Americans who Joined in
the artillery duels.
All the troops will be relieved after
a certain period by others. Thus the
American expeditionary forces are
getting the benefit of actual war con-
ditionS.
Standing in little, almost deserted
shell-wrecked village, well within hos
tile range and a few kilometers from
the trenches, the Associated Press cor
respondent watched the troops march |
ing up in q driving rain over roads |
covered with sticky mud. The artil- |
lery had been firing all day. and as |
a result the impression was given that |
there was considerable more activity |
on this front than there had been for |
some time.
1t was soon after lulls in the firing
and in the dark that the first machine
guns, hauled by Missouri mules, the
drivers swathed in ponchos and with
helmets over their eyes, came
upon the road beside a dark canal.
There was a long line of these,
and then came some infantry rolling
kitchens, giving off a savOry odor of
warm food.
Pass in Silence.
All passed in silence. The last gun
had sprawled Oh it the form
IF a soldier who had been taken ill,
and who was being held on by two of
lis walking comrades.
Through another street paved with
.obbles and it's sides lined with gaunt
skeletons of shell-wrecked homes, :
anne the sound of the tread of many |,
lob-nailed boots, and in the darkness
he dim forms of men could be seen
The cautious flash of an electric 1
American infantry, packs on their t
JACKS, rifles slung on their shoulders, +
ain glistening on their helmets and +
oats, the wind whipping the bottom t
f their coats around their legs, which
we're moving with machine-like pre-
isOn.
The Americans swung down the v
treet apparently as proud as though z
n dress parade, notwithstanding that 1
hey had marched miles from the Il
illets where they had been since COM
1g by motor trucks and railway from
he instruction centers. AS the ranks Z
assed, every now and then a soldier 5
ould be heard whistling softly to him g
elf, his nearby comrades listening ST. Il
entity to sentimental and popular a
ieces.
AS the Germans were nearby, much
expended upon approaching the scene d
uietly. The troops turned q corner le
nd disappeared down an ink-black b
road. p
No "strafe" developed although the
ermans put over few customary
leIls, hitting nothing. G
The troops entered the trenches U
lfely, unit by unit, passing quickly al
the places assigned them. Quiet tie
sss was essential, but the French A
elcome none the less was heard and
was enthusiastic.
di