Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-10-30
16Sth Best Fighting
Unit OF, Entire
Western Front

The 16Sth infantry, Colonel Ben
nett's old Third Iowa, is widely
reputed in army circles in France to
he the best fghtinfg unit on the west
ern front, according to Congressman
c.. c. Dowell who recently returned
from tour of the fighting front.
The congressman has been with the
lighting Iowans" on the western front
He saw their terrific action at Chateau
Thierry. He has talked with Iowa boys
in hospitals, dressing stations and first
aid tents. And everywhere he says,
there has been the same Uncomfortable
, spirit.
Mr.. Dowell was near the line at
Chateau Thierry July %, when nun
dreds Of Iowa boys fell under ma
chine gun barrage.
lie Worth Proved.
When the Chateau Thierry drive
opened in July the Germans were
thirty miles from Paris. Hope of
holding them back was low. No one
believed that Paris would surrender.
but 1t was thought that it might be
evacuated by the civilian population.
To get there the Germans had to pass
Chateau fhierry. ,At this strategic
point they threw in the Rainbow divis-
ion. Our Iowa boys have been put into
the hardest places on the aghing
front. They have been put there be-
cause those in high authority knew
they would make good.
II heard compliments for this regi-
ment upon all Sides" he said. Military
Iowa. spoke of our infantrymen. The
16sth is known as the Iowa regiment
What French Say.
French officers, and high officers
from other American organizations,
told me it was the best fighting unit
on the western front. They told me 1t
has the most efficient officers Of any
regiment over there. Colonel Bennett
is greatly admired. He's hard
headed deep-thinking, careful man.
our Iowa men look after men in their
commands, They, safeguard them as
much as they possibly can
Mr.. Dowell said that Maj Wilbur s.
Conkling is doing splendid work in the
hospitals on the front. Major Conk-
ling. he says, is one of the busiest men
in France. He has jurisdiction over
several hospitals. to which men from
the Forty second division are brought,
and is known for his efficiency and
extreme care in looking after the
wounded.
Met Major conkIins.
Mr.. Dowell met Major ConklinS in
a very unexpected manner in France.
He was looking for the 16sth infantry
when Major Conkling's car drove by.
Both men recognized each other and
sprang from their mac hines. Major
headquarters of the 16Sth. and few
days later.both men got together with
Colonel Bennett, Major Brewer and
Major Worthington. 1t was outside
the tent OF Major Worthington that
the congressman met Corporal Hal
Denny, a member Of Company B and a
former Dies Moines newspaper man.
Wasted. ruined villages give evil
dence Of the merciless methods OF the
Hun, Mr.. Dowell says.
Wanton Destruction.
Their destruction has been abso-
lutely wanton and malicious" he said.
I'VE have others to deal with beside
the kaiser. German soldiers. even
under orders. would not do the things
they are doing over there were they
not wrong all the way thru. There
can be no peace until there Is retri-
button for this great wrong. They
don't know the meaning OF honor. But
they've got to surrender. And think