The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-04-05
10 Doubt About It That Our
Army VIII Make
Good.
BOYS WITH COOL HEADS
American Artillery Knows
How to Prepare for
Assaults.
b. G. c. LYON
vest Wrainian Reporter in the Front
Line Trenches With General
Pershinss Army.
By c. c. LYON
Jest VIs9lnIah FaeP0FNs ct III I''S
Line Trenches With General
Pershina's Army.

fest Vlrainian Reporter in the Front
Line Trenches With General
Pershins's Army.
Passed for Publication. Press D!V1-
sion. George 3. FGrks,
I'd 1t. Inf, y. Al
IN THE AMERICAN TRENCHES
n FRANCE. april tControie
american 81 hare just come through
he most THRILLING experience OF ny
lie.
aftnglins and touching shoulders
With our American troops IN their
Irst Zine trenches, have seen them
Ihatter their German enemies ana
carry 10 brilliant conclusion the big
sest military operation yet attempted
~ the American army in France
It will always be one OF my most
cherished memories that vas prtT-
legged to observe with my Own. eyes
he behavior Of American troops IN
heir big -'acid test"
And OF added interest IS the fact
that many Of the boys whom oade
3odspeed as they went over the TOP
with their bayonets fixed are lads
rye know since they wore knee
trousers.
VIII the American army in France
make good? Is the American soIdler
destined to outstrip the fighters OF al!
other nations in coo!ness. dash, aud
bravery?
The answer is to be found in the
simple narrative I'm going to give OF
what heard and saw.
For some time a German salient
opposite a part OF the American front
had been a. source OF constant danger
and annoyance 10 our troops. The 10
cation Of the salien: was such that 1t
afforded unusual opportunities for
hidden snipers and machine SunneEs,
who had, for days. been popping away
At every American head that showed
Itself above the top Of the trenches
It was decided that the salient must
be wiped out.
SO great was the pressure from Off
,cers and men of all the units compr1s-
ing the regiments designated to make
lhe attack, that, it was thought best
20 permit every company to contribute
It's quota to the attacking party But
1ven then difficulties arose, because
company commanders after company
commander found every man in his or
Sauization stepping to the front when
volunteers were called for. In many
sases, the attackers we're chosen by
OF.
The day Of the attack vas bright
and Sunshiny. and the warmth OF an
sarly spring had sent the army over
coats to cover and everybody was out
Of doors enjoying the fine weather.
had stood. the day before. in front
go 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 little village Just
back of the lines where they were to
meet and be welded into one attack
ing force
I have never seen any soldiers In
finer fettle than they Every man
among them was proud and cocky to
Be a member of the first over the
top" party; and as they marched along
most Of them whistled or sang pa
Etotic songs
Dawn the next day found our over
the top" men in their places IN the
first lines. Then came the long hours
Of waiting for the attack to begin.
They we're to so over the tops IN
broad daylight. after the artillery had
succeeded IN pulveriztnS the German
trenches, plI-boxes, and machine gun
placements.
I.had made my way into the trench
Is shortly after the noon hour, and as
I passed from place to place there
was hardly a face that was able to
hide signs Of extreme NERVOUSNESS
There were frequent attempts at lev
Iky, but noticed that very few OF the
Jokes got hand.
Nearly every officer and man was
Jnokms.
-Precty SOON colonel came through
the trenches, stopping a moment or
30 to say few words to every group
hat he met.
Nowhere had ever seen such inti-
nate fellowship between officer aud
nan. The boys crowded around him
md eagerly drank in his every WORD
& was easy to see that he had their
lnttre confidence and that he was a
popular leader with them
Here is where we show 'em what j
Eesre made Of. boys" he said a. num-
Der Of times. ''Ihe whole world is
gofng to know what we do this after
1oon.
A captain stepped up to him and !:
aid: !
rs It true, colonel. that you are 80 |
ne over the tops with US :!
It is" replied the colonel, quietly
'eBut, colonel" protested the cap !
ain, you have no right to risk youz
ife IN this fashion"
TIN not thinking or concerned With
hat side o. It, captain. What do
NOW IS that this attack must be
made success. We can't afford to
tart on with a fall-down. I'm going
,ve1 the top ahead OF you and your
ren. because want you all to realize
he importance OF success"