Imperial Valley press., 1918-10-23

heroes-Paul Ragan and ReX/Ragan
sons of Mr.. and Mrs. George A. Ra-
gan, and Richard and Louis Hopklng
sons of Mrs. Walter H. Muller
graphically depicting events in the
recent American offensive-the first
iall-American offensive of The war
have been received here by the proud
parents.
The two sets of brothers entered
the service together and are still To-
gether afier passing through eXpe-
riences that surpass the stories Oft
told in fiction. The Hopking boys
are under age, Richard having been
but 16 when he followed his brother,
Louis, 10, to the colors.
The letters of the Ragan boys are
more in detail and for that reason
they are published first to convey TO
the reader something of the battle
scenes. They follow:
81 have just lime for short note
which | am writing in Red Cross
hut near the lines. I suppose you
have heard of and are all rejoicing
over the most recent American sue
cess in the Toul sector. The advance
Twas practically an American advance
and it has been successful in every
way.
eve were under German shell fire
for about an hour the other morning,
but without single casualty. A cou-
pie of shells hit about twenty yards
from my truck, but did not damage
other than 10 throw up shower of
rocks which bounced off my "tin hat"
harmlessly enough. l went to the
crater made by one of these shells
and picked up few fragments of
the bursted shell, which weer so hot
they burned my hands. l can only
say that Pm glad it didn't fall any
closer to me. wouldn't havee minded
so much, only that I had twenty-seven
drums of gasoline on my truck and
didn't feel exactly comfortable with
redhot shells lighting in the vicinity.
81 have had the pleasure of seeing
many of our own American dough-
boys-bless their hearts-bring part
of The prisoners and captured matere-
ial back from No Mans Land. Sew
eral of The fellows have gathered up
German souvenirs, but to date l
haven't had an opportunity to get
any, having to stay by my truck all
the ime for orders.
81 have witnessed several thrilling
air battles and have seen a plane or
two brought to earth. III tell you
a fellow hasn't much time for despon-
dency in this part of the world
there's been something doing every
minute.
at is great 10 be having a part
in all this. A fellow can't help get
ting the good old American spirit
among so many of the home boys
who are all exhaling it and who are
singing, laughing and fighting their
way ahead throuh mud and rain. I
tell you no power on earth can stop
men whose cause is just and whose
spirits cannot be broken. Folks, it is
a wonderful thing 10 be an American
these days, and all other days, for
hat matter. PAUL RAGAN."
a. time geese on, it becomes more
and more difficult for us to write
even so much as a card home. Lack
of paper, time and places for censor
ing are our reasons for not being able
to write. Just at present Paul and
| are in Red Cross hut on the front
"The world has been startled by
The glorious victories that the Ameri-
cans under Pershing have made
Places that have been held by the
Germans for four years are now held
by Americans We had a part in that
wonderful drive and, believe me, we
hit them hard and heavy.
"For forty-eight hours we shelleG
woods inhabited by Boche soldiers
Nothing remained living afterwards
saw the place of our shellfire ant
God help the Germans who were there
! have been over No Mans lant
where the drive started and as fal
as the German second line trenches
Souvenirs were plentiful.
Yesterday morning we had re
turn fire from the Germans. / believ,
| shall never forget the sound of /;
German 10-inch gun-a second O.
quiet, then a sharp whistle a crasl
and then a flying of shrapnel. Fo
three hours at intervals of two o.
three minutes we listened to the bari
of German guns and bursting shrap
mel. Airplanes have also visited u,
and given us smell of the gas, bu