Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-10-14
old I'd maine REGIMENT HAS
MADE GLORIOUS RECORD FOR
ITSELF ON WESTERN FRONT

lance of II miles. Following the BON.
parchment the Germans sent forward
some 600 picked shock-troops. Their en-
gineers came ahead and blew the
barbed wire. Then came the liquid fire
men, followed by the machine gun men.
the Infantry, and the pioneers, in the
order named. The supporting American
batteries caught sight Of the advancing
Germans and laid down a tarrage be-
hind them. shutting off retreat to the
German lines or the bringing up of sup
ports. The attack was made on the viii
lage Of xivray, held by the PASSPORT
Company. supported by the Houlton
Company. The Skowhegan Company
also had some part in the fight. Prob
ably 50 men out of these companies ac-
tually participated in the fighting. The
artillery and machine guns opened up
on the Germans at the same moment.
The American barrage was wonderful.
not shot went astray. The laison
work between the fighting men and
headquarters, between the infantry and
artillery was perfect. although all wires
had been carried down In he pfelimi.
nary bombardment The Germans were
literally mown down. OF the go
picked troops who came forward, but
so escaped death. The German dead lay
four or five feet deep in places. In
front Of one machine gun position. IS
dead Germans were strung along the
wire. The attacking body numbered
mAnv t.
being merely the raiding party. There
were at least three times as many men
coming as re-inforcements, but they
were held back by the fine work Of the
1920 Artillery. assisted by the 1Osd Ar
tillery. and the disposition OF the re-
mainder of the regiment. Not a Ger
man got by the wire and into the
trenches. Not content with waiting. the
Maine boys went out and mopped up
what was left Of the Kaiser's best. who
had been told hat the town was held by
but a handful of Americans, and to
Go and get them
At a critical moment in the attack a
German machine. I'm squad had entered
f? road between the trenches that woula
have allowed Them to make a flank at
tack and do terrific damase to the de-
tenders. They were met by Verne Bout.
lier Of Houlton. He attacked the ad.
vancing Germans with an automatic
rifle. The rife being put out of COM
mission, he went after the Germans
armed only with a bayonet grasped in
his hand. He took the ma chine-gun
"a
attackers, and for a few moments.
alone. until his platoon came up. he
held the road and prevented what
would have been disastrous flank at
tack. A liquid fire squad. Of three men,
succeeded in entering the town. They
were seen by Captain Williams. who
shot with his revolver. the man carry.
ing the tank. The bullet passed through
the mans body and into the tank which
exploded ard destroyed the three fame
throwers
The Germans took one prisoner, an
PASSPORT boy whose eagerness had car
ried him too far in advance of his fell
tenant Irwin E. Doans of the Houlton
Company. observing the plight of this
boy, called for volunteers from his COM
pany to go to the rescue. Every man
stepped forward. Choosing seven Of his
men, Doane went after the Germans
who were in charge of this prisoner.
Needless to say, he got them. and re-
leased the wounded Eastport boy. On
the way back this squal took two pris-
oners. Red Cross man and a German
officer. In this battle the American
casualties were but 20 men. eight of
which were from the Eastport Com
pany. The number included both the
killed and wounded. For this magnifi-
cent work the regiment received special
commentator
Under date OF June 49, 1915 General
Passage, commanding the 32d Army
Corps, French Army, issued the follow
ing general order:
Translation, 18th division, June IS. 1913
H. O., June IS, 1918.
With Army. 80 Corps.
Staff Sd Bureau,
No. 1904.
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 131.
On June 16, strong detachment con-
sisting of 900 picked German troops, re-
inforced by Storm Battalion elements,
attacked at daybreak the front line of
the 26th American Division at XIvRAY
and between xIvRAY and SEICH-
PRAY. The enemy was everywhere re-
pulsed by immediate counter-attac ks
and left numerous bodies on the terrain.
and 10 prisoners including one officer.
This brilliant action does the greatest
honor to the 18th American Division, and
in particular. to the 1o3d Regiment,
Colonel HUME.
1t demonstrates the unquestionable
superiority of the American soldier over
the German soldier. 1t indicates clearly
what can be expected from these mag