Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-19
AMERICANS HELP FRENCH
TO RECAPTuRE TRENCHES
Commanders Find Great Difficulty
In Picking Out Men Who Dis
tinguiShcd Themselves.
YOUNG BAKER WINS FAVOR
Pathetic Story of Fatally Wounded
Corporal-Soldier Runs Through
Three Barrngcs to Save Licutcn-
ant and Party.
tBy Associated prcss.l

fBy Associated Prcss.l
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE Wednesday, April l7.-Twice
pany has assisted French troops in
nesghborins sector TO regain trenches
temporarily taken by the Germans.
The company was led by I. captain, who
face Of the most violent machine gun
and artillery fire. Each time he sue
cccded in driving cut the enemy and
innicting heavy casualties. and then
strengthening tho positions. y most
pathetic story from the American lines
is that of young corporal who was
wounded fatally after lighting Tor four
hours. a piece Of shrapncl struck him
In the head. He had grenade in each
hand. Giving them TO his companion,
he said: II guess I'm done. Please
write my mother and tell her how II
happened. But herc--t Ike thrsc
5rcnadtes. and for GoI's sake don't
waste them"
The corporal fcl! in a faint and died
In a hospital the next day without
rosaining consciousness.
Al one po!n, on this sector there was
space OF only fifteen yards between
the opposing trenches. y day before
an attack, the Germans threw a note
into the American trench II read:
what are YOU: Canadians or AUS
trd!iansT'
Come over and find OUT" was the
reply thrown back by an American sol.
der
~ ,,
incident added: Il guess they know
who VIC are nov. and they vii! not he
likely 10 forget II for some time"
One lieutenant in listening pos,
with small party OF men was Gu, off
from the remainder Of tho platoon In
fridays attack. He tried to send UP
rockets to signal an American barraye.
but the rockets failed TO work. y pri-
va,e then volunteered to run back with
Tho message He passed through three
lines OF barragc FIRE without being
harmed. and delivered tho message
The American EUnacrs laid down
barragc Immediately and saved thr
lieutenant and his party from the
hands OF a superior force OF the enc
my. which vas headed in their direc-
ton
Commanders OF units who part!ci-
paied in the several days Of lighting
last week ia company wi;h the French
IA the .i9rcmOnt wood sector are find
!ng 1t difficult, to pick out men who
especially distinguished themselves in
tho operations. ono commander said
thai every man acted like hero. and
Il WAS hard TO choose the most de-
serving cases. one OF the most popular
men with the soldiers on this sector is
Rev bcs Wales. Roman Cathode
priest ~ New Bedford. Mass. who is
living with tho men in an unoGic!a!
capacity. ne having come to France as
representative OF the Knights Of Co.
!umbus.
when the attack began Father Des
Wales, hra"ins the dangers o. she'll
and machine gun fire, went TO the
casualty clearing station. near the
front line. TO administer to the
wounded. lie assisted in dressing the
Injuries OF tho soldiers ana gave each
man "A word OF cheer. lie handed out
cigarettes to tho mon who smoked
Hes as game as they make them.
and every inch a soldier" said a dough
boy, while other soldiers spoke of the
Inspiration furnished by tho priest
Another popular man is young
baker Of Springfield. Mass who was
pressed into service as a strctcncr-
bearer. He was the smallest man in the
outfit. and after several trips bccam
SO exhausted he was unable to hold
tho stretche-. lie refused 10 give up
and had his companions tie the
Etretcher 10 his wrists with rope SO as
TO enable MIN 10 hold the strotchcr on
The Journey from the front line TO the
dressing station.