Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-04-20
179 AMERICANSLOST
IN PICARDY BATTLE
% Killed, 80 Wounded and
102 Missing; Includes 81
Not Reporting
Mnshinginn. Nnril 20.

w dStlInElOl. .Nllli ~
The War Department has received
General Pershing's report of the gal
liant conduct of American engineer
troops with the British Fifth Army in
helping check the German advance in
the early days of the great offensive.
ut will make splendid reading for
Americans" said Secretary Baker.
American losses in the period from
March Il to April 3, during which the
engineers consolidated and held a sub.
sector of the British lines against re
peated assaults, were given as two Off
GERS killed and three wounded: evenly
men killed, fifty.two wounded and
torty-fiye missing, with a detachment
of tifty-seven from whom no report
has been received. 1t is believed by
the British authorities that all of those
reported missing were not captured,
but that many were separated from
their command and are now with
other British organizations.
General Pershings report says:
In reference to mention I'm sum.
mary OF activities, noon March "a to
March 20. of American troops fighting
with British armies and to the daily
cabled summary of the battle March
~, 1918, the following has now been
established from official reports:
THE commanding officer Of a United
States engineer regiment has received
copy of the following letter com.
mendinS the action OF the troops OF
his regiment: 4 have received the fol.
lowing from the commanding general
-- Corps:
L desire to convey to you and
ranks under your orders my admira.
ton OF the splendid service which YOU
and fhpV hlNn -.
with corps light railroad. Thanks 10
the untiring energy of officers. non.
commissioned officers and men, who
nave risen TO the occasion in a manner
beyond all praise, and their gallantrv
much or what might otherwise have
tallen into the enemy's hands has been
saved.
should like to add my own an
probation of the excellent services
rendered by the officers, noncommis.
stoned officers and men or the light
railroad service of this army direc-
torate, in connection with the present
operation: VIII you be good enough
10 acquaint all ranks serving under
you of the appreciation accorded 10
their untiring service?'
certain units Of United States en-
gineers serving with a British army
between March II and April 3 while
under shelltire carried out destruction
OF material dumps at Chaulnes. fell
back with British forces to Moreuil
where the commands laid out trench
work, then proceeded to Demuin and
was assigned sector of defensive line
which was constructed and manned by
them, thence moved to a position ir
the line near Warfusee- -Abancourt anC
extending to the north side of Bois dc
Toillauw The commands started for
this position on March 27 and occupied
II until April 2. during this time the
commanding officer of a unit of United
States engineers being in command o.
the subsector occupied by his troops
This command was I'm more or less
continuous action during its stay II
this position. On April 3 the command
was ordered to fall back to AbbeVille
The casualties during the period
March 21 to April 3, were: Officers
killed, two; wounded. three; meI
| killed, twenty; wounded, fifty-twoi
| forty-five men reported missing, but 1
is believed by the British authoEitie!
| that they were not all captured, ant
that many Of them were separates
from their command and are nov
with other British organizations. Thi
report OF casualties does not conside
one detachment of fifty-seven mel
from which no report has been re
ceived."
The report also quotes the lette
sent by British General II.
Mullers, commanding a cavalry diyi
sion, to the commander of one of tn
American engineering units, conveying
the congratulations of his superior
and the letter sent by British Genera
Rawlinson. commanding the Britis
army engaged In that sector, to tn
engineer officer in command of the sui
lie In France.