Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-08-06

AL the Traditions OF ttlr Ublteu states
army for valOr were brilliantly Sus-
famed In the successful attack made
against the Germans south of the
River Somme, when for the first time
American infantrymen took their
stand beside their British cousins and
fought shoulder to shoulder win them
against the common foe.
1t was baptism If fire for the an
kee soldiers on this front, aud they
came through with flying colors, prov
ing fitting comrades for the Austria
lian warriors whom they were assist
ing.
"The Americans fought like fends,
declared one British staff officer. They
did all of that. They were magnificent,
and the folks at home may be proud
of the part their boys took in the
shell-torn valley of the winding Sonme.
They were fighting over ground al
ready stained with the blood OF thou
sands of brave soldiers, but no better
troops ever charged across the rolling
fields than the pioneers from the
American army. Along with this it is
possible to make the cheerful state
ment that their casualties were very
small. Virtually the entire body OF
Americans came through unscathed.
This was probably due TO the weak re-
sistance which the Germans offered TO
the Anglo.American onslaught.
One does not need to detract from
the work of the Australians by telling
of the prowess of the Americans. The
soldiers from the antipodes far out
numbered those from the United
States and did corresponding
amount of the sanguinary labor. 1t
goes without saying that the big
framed men from Australia, who fear
neither man nor devil, fought with the
flerceness which has made them ter
ror to the enemy.
The American troops who were to
take part were brigaded with their
Australian allies. who took the deep
est interest in the welding of the link
of brotherhood. The plans were care
fully rehearsed until every American
knew his role almost as well as the
hardy veterans from his majesty's
army.
Few along the front knew of the
event, but the British staff officers
were watching every move with the
keenest attention. Those officers to-
day were outspokenly delighted with
what they had seen. ~
EnIoined to "kilI," and They Did.
For week the British experts had
been DINING into the ears Of the
Americans the words. xiii! XIII
Kill !" as the cardinal slogan of the
fighting man.
The Americans had learned their
lesson well. The British officers spoke
Of this after the affair was over. No
drillmaster ever got better returns for
his talks than the one who taught
these Americans this hardest lesson
OF ALL A large number Of Germans
paid the price, ant the men from the
United States exacted heavy toll.
The Americans were naturally happy
over the success of the operation In
which they had played creditable
part, and the Australians were no less
pleased with their new-found pals.
The general in command of the
American troops was also pleased with
the work his men had done,
"Our troops understood thoroughly
when they went over the top that they
were expected to do no less than any
of their allies, said the general to the
correspondent. Reports which have
received from the Australians Indicate
that our boys conducted themselves
with great credit and did all that could
have been wished
The correspondent visited casualty
clearing stations to see some of the
wounded Yankees who had gone
through the fight.
Boy corporal's stosy.
Lying on a cot. tlanked by British
soldiers. was Chicago lad who he'd
been shot In the les after gallant
fight He was buc-eyed, round-iacrd
y0ungster who looked strangely oht of
place among the older veterans He
said he was twenty years Old but h,
was nothing more than ltkabie boy
with n winning but somewhat WiStful
smile. The correspondent introduce,
himself and told the little soldier how
proud everybody was OF the Ameri
cans. The boys lips trembled but hi,
eyes frightened.
Are you from America, tooT' h,
cried, az he eagerly put out hand
"Oh, I'm SO glad Of that"
He was homesick aud hurt and want
ed comfort from somebody from home
A friendly cha began and the sol
der chung desperately TO The core
spondept's hand. Suddenly his eye
fastened on the correspondents Brit
ish uniform and look Of disappont
lnent came to his face.
"You're not a Yankee, are your j
asked, and his eyes were moist Tn
correspondent assured him 10 the COZ
trury. instantly he frightened, an
throwing his arm over the correspond
ent's shoulder exclaimed:
Tin mighty glad Of that I'm ga
you are d Yankee, too"
Then he told the story of his part !