Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-04-22
j. S. TROOPS WON
AGAINST BIG ODDS
PERSH|NG WIRES
Engineers Played Important Part
in Stopping German Blow
He Tells Washington.
IN ACTION SEVEN DAYS

Washington. April 22.-The courageous
part PLAYED by American engineer units IN
the great Picardv battle is revealed in an
official report received at the War Dc
partment from Gen. Pershing and i'm
mediately made public. The report is
based on official British reports of the
fight which was against overwhelming
odds. 1t was in response to request
by Gen. March that Gen. Pershing
advise the War Department at the earliest
practicable date regarding the part played
BY the engineers in the engagement OF
the British and French forces TO hold
back the German tide.
The engineers. on March Fl, imme-
diatelv before the Germans started
their drive, had been working on railroad
and bridge construction. They lett their
work. and equipped by the British, stood
literally shoulder to shoulder with them
IN the greatest battle of history.
FOUGHT LIKE VETERANS.
The highly commcndatory letter of
Cen. Rawlinson, commanding the Fifth
British ARMY. already has been pub
lished, but is quoted as part OF Gen
Pershing's report. According to the
statements of the British commanders
where these Americans participated IN
the fighting, our boys fought with the
courage and determination of veterans.
On ono sector the American rcglmental
commander was in full command of the
front held immediately by his men. This
command constructed series of trenches
and held them for a week. being engaged
more or less continuously from March
- 10 April 3 Not until orders from
the British were given to fall back did the
men retire.
For military reasons the identity OF
the American units was dclcted from
Gcn. Pcrshings dispatch. together with
the names of the commanding officers.
The text follows:
"Iu reference 10 mention IN the sum-
mary of activities noon March u to
March -. Of American troops fighting
with British armies and 10 the daily cabled
summary Of the battle March %. 1918. tho
following has now been established from
official reports.
HEIPED STAY THE OFFENSIVE.
The commanding officer OF a United
States engineer regiment has received a
copy Of the following letter commencing
the action Of the troops of his regiment
4 have received the following from the
commanding general, ~ Corps II dc
sire to convey to YOU and ranks under
vour orders my admiration of the splendid
service which YOU and they have rendered
in connection with corps light railroad.
Thanks 10 the untiring energy OF officers
non-commisSioncd officers and men, who
have risen To the occasion IN a manner
beyond all praise. and their gallantry
much of what might otherwise have fallen |
into the enemv's hands has been saved.
II should like to add my own ap- |
preciation of the excellent services render |
ed bv the officers, non commissioned |
off ers and men OF the light railroad |
service Of this army direct oratc IN con- |
nection with the present operations VIII |
YOU be good enough TO acquaint all ranks |
serving under you Of the appreciation |
accorded TO their untlring service
Certain units of [ nited states en- /
gineers serving with a British army he |
tween March p and April 3, while under |
shell FIRE. carried ont destruction OF |
material dumps at Chaulnes, fell back /
with British forces TO MOrcauIl where |
he commands lald out trench work. then /
proceeded 10 Demulm and was assigned to |
a sector of defensive hne which was con
structed and manned by them, thence |
moved to a position on the line near |
u arfusee- Abancourt and extending TO /
the north side of Bols de Toillauw.'
COMMAND II CONTINUOUS ACTION.
The commands started for this po-
sition on March - and occupied il /
until April ;. during this time the com
lnanding officer of unit of United States
Engineers being in command of the sub
sector occupied by has troops This com
mand was IN more or less continuous ac-
tlon during its stay in this position On
April the command was ordered to fall
back 10 Abbeville. The casualties during
he period March 2l to April 3 We're:
officers killed ,; wounded. 3 men killed.
20; wounded -; 45 men reported missing.
but i. is believed by the British authorities
hat they were not AL captured, and that
many Of them were separated from their
,ommand and are now with other British
This report of casualties
Toes not consider one detachment of 81 |
nen from which no report has been
received