The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-03-03

With the American Army IN France, I
March 2.l'y The Associated Press
The three recent raids. one IN tho Toul
sector. and two along the chemtn-des-
Danes. have demonstrated that the
American soldier. Notwithstanding his
previous ineXpcrience, now is perfectly
at honc IN n gas mask and able to
fight Just as well with ~ without II.
In so quickly reaching th!n stage the
Americans have SHOWN their usual
Adaptability. Gus was used In all three
attacks In Just sufficient quantities to
make masks necessary. ~ the Germans
In their later attacks did not desire to
encounter quantities OF their own gas.
Officer Risks Death.
When the engage ment ut Toul be-
gan, virtually all tue Americans were,
masked. Some few Of the men. how
ever. are reported to have taken Z
chance. when the German infantry at
tackled. pulling off their masks for
freer action. One officer risked his
life 70 give commands TO his men DUR
Ing the roar Of explosions. lie WAS
unable through his mask 10 make his
men hear NO he pulled II or and yelled
his orders. Az Il happened there was
no gas In this particular section, but
he did not know II. The officer was
willing to sacrifice his own life u get
his men TO n place OF safety where they
could also strike effectively at the ene-
my
ouisknsss Caves Lives.
There were many other instances of
personal bravery. A lieutenant. n sor-
geant and two privatcs were IN dug.
out when some Germans looked In.
One cried IN good English: Come
out, AmericAns!"
The four Americans blaxed away with
their automatics then rushed the en-
trance to stumble over the bodies of
the men. whom they had apparently
killed by their quick resistance.
Dig Out Buried Men,.
During the bomba rdment. which
hardly could have been more terrific.
two men who were concealed In she'll
hole were buried by dirt thrown by an
other exploding projectile. They shout
ed for help and II came quickly. Their
comrades left the shelters. from which
they were ready To leap into action the
moment the attacking infantry ap-
peared. and exhumed the buried SOL
diers. while stones. mud. earth, pieces
of trees and shell spiinters spattered
about them.
Notwithstanding the fierceneas OF the
fight at close quarters, not more than
one bayonet wnS used, and this one on
a German. The Americana, using
fhAiW lts,u In. .s.Ax, N..1
into the German attackers with good
aim In spite Ut the excitement. Rifle
bullets accounted for many more.
Gets Hun After Fall.
Although the army has been cursing
the weather and the mud for days,
there IL one man OH the line today who
IL glad II waH muddy, for he owes his
life to the slippery "duckboards." or
the flooring In trenches. with the pis-
tOI in hand. ne rounded trench corner
looking for the Germans. A burly
prussian raw him first and fired, but
~ the same moment the American
l~iipped and fell on his face. The Prus-
sian thought him dead and turned
away.
He was quickly dropped In his
tracks by the prone American. who
fired accurately from the trench bot
tom. There were men In the fight
from virtually all the states from New
York To Texas. With one or two ex-
ccptions. all the wounded are expected
to recover.
impressive Ceremonies.
Some Of the American dead were
buried In u cemetery back Of the lines
during the night while friendly and
hostile shells r0ared over head.
A thick wet snow which now Is fall
ing is melting as soon az it touches
1.-THE mud.
The bodies Of the Americans slain In
1.-THE fighting north OF Chemin- -des.
Danes have been buried near where
lthey fell. their French and American
comrades participating In impressive
ceremonies.
lR NM AAS 4 n