Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-08-07
AMERICAN SOLDIERS FOUGHT like
FIENDS," SAYS BRITISH OFFICER
High Praise for Conduct of Yankees in First Fight Side by Side With
Their British Cousins-Tod to "KiI' and They Sure Did
That-Austraians Delighted With Com
radeS' ProWesS at Hame

With the British Army In France
All the traditions of the United States
army for valor were brilliantly sus-
tanned in the successful attack made
against the Germans south of the
River Somme. when for the first time
American iufantrypen took their
stand beside their British cousins and
fought shoulder 10 shoulder with them
against the common foe.
1t was a baptism of fire for the Yam
kee soldiers ON this front, and they
came through with flying colors, prov
ing fitting comrades for the Austru-
Ian warriors whom they were assist
ing.
The Americans fought like tiends,'
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 Somme.
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 10 make the cheerful state
ment that their casualties We're very
small. Virtually the entire body OF
Americans came through unseathed.
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
fierceness 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 we'll 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 thpy h.,f seen
Enjoined to "kIt," 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. and the men from the
| United States exacted a heavy toll.
The Americans were naturally happy
over the success of the operation in
which they had played creditahle
| parf. 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
nj ,heir allies" said the general 10 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 10 see some Of the
wounded Yankees who rad gone
| through the fight.
Boy corporal's story.
| Lying on a cot. fianked by British
soldiers was Chicago lad who had
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