Evening journal., 1918-04-06

anu OF dQQeQ interest IS lne TACT tndt
many OF the boys whom l bade God
speed as they went over the top with
their bayOnets fixed are lads I've known
since they wore knee trousers.
VIII the American army In France
make good7 Is the American soldier
destined TO outstrip the fighters OF all
other nations in GOODNESS, dash and
bravery
The answer is to be found in the sim
pie narrative I'm going to give Of what
heard and saw.
Fer some time a German salient op-
poslle a part Of the American front had
been a source Of constant danger ard
annoyance 10 our troops. The location
Of the salient was such that It afforded
unusual opportunities for hidden snip
ers and machine gunners, who had, for
days, been popping away at every Am
erican head that showed Itself above
the top Of the trenches
Il was decided that the salient must
be wiped out.
So great was the pressure from on
GERS and men OF all the units c0mpris-
ing the regiments designated 10 make
the attack, that it was thought best 10
permit every company TO contribute It's
quota to the attacking party. But even
then difficulties arose, because COM
pany commander after company COM
mander found every man In his organ
ization stepping to the front when vol
unteers were called for. IN many cases
tnc attackers were chosen by lot.
The day Of the attack was bright and
sunshiny, and the warmth OF an early
spring had sent the army oNercoats to
cover and everybody was out OF doors
enjoying the fne weather.
/ had stood, the day before, In front
OF one colonels headquarters and had
watched one company quota after an
other march by in informal review be
fore him and the rest OF the regiment
on their way TO a little village just bach
Of the lines where they were 10 meet
and be welded into one attacking force
have never seen any soldiers In fnsI
fettle than they. Every man amons
them wa proud and cocky 70 be a mem.
Der Of the first "over the top" party
and as they marched along most ol
them whistled or sang patriotic songs
Dawn the next day found our "ovei
the .op" mer In their places In the frs
lines. Then came the long hours O.
waiting for the attack to begin.
They were to go over the tops II
broad daylight, after the artillery haC
succeeded in pulyerizing the German
trenches. pill-boxes, and machine guI
placements.
/ made by way into the trenches
shortly after the noon hour, and as
pa sed from place to place there va
hardly a face that was able 10 hidl
e a..
were frequent attempts at lesity. bu
] noticed that very few Of the Joke
got a hand"
Nearly every onlcer and man ws
smoking.
Pretty soon a colonel came througl
the trenches, stopping a moment OF 81
to say a few words to every groUp tha
he met
Nowhere had I ever seen such init
mate fellowship between ofncer snl
man. The boys crowded around hin
and eagerly drank in his every word
Il was easy TO see that he had thei
entire confidence and that he was a pop
ular leader with them.
Here Is where we show 'em wha
we're made Of, boys" he said numbe
OF times 1.-THE whole world Is gCln
70 know what we do this afternoon.
A captain stepped up to him and said
as It true. colonel. that you are 30
ing over the tops with u.s."
at is" replied the colonel, quietly
But, colonel" protested the captain
''you have no right to risk your life !
this fashion"
I'm not thinking or concerned wit
that side OF 10, captain. What d
know is that this attack must be mad
q success. We can't AFFORD 10 start o.
with a fsll-down I'm going over On
top ahead Of you and your men. be
cause l want you all to realize the i'm
portance Of success"
Not very many minutes after this, ou
artillery, hidden In woods and guile
and under camouflage behind our line
opened Up. At 1rst the firing was de-
ultory, but as the German guns bega
70 reply. our own increased the inter
slty Of their fire until there was nott
ing but one Ions deafening roar, loudc
from time 70 time, as the biggest ca
ibres sent their enormous shells screecl
ing and singing over our heads towaI
the enemy trenches some 300 yards
front Of US.
7 Thought had seen violent bon
bsrdments In front Of Dixmude, up
Belgium, last fail. when In the couri