New-York tribune., 1918-04-20
Commander Reports 122
Casualties in Struggle
in Demuin Sector
Quotes Praise of
British Leader
Held Front Line, Support
ing British, Until
Ordered Back

WASHINGTON, April 19.-General
pe~shing's report of the gallant con-
ducs of American engineer troops with
the British Fifth Army, in helping
,heck the German advance in the early
DAYS of tht great offensive. reached
the War Department late to-day, and
was made public by Secretary Baker.
at will make splendid reading for
americans said the Secretary.
American losses in the period from
March 81 to April 8, during which the
engineers consolidated and held a
spb-seetor of the British lines against
rspeated assaults, were given as two
ohcers killed and three wounded,
twenty men killed, ffty-two wounded
and forty-five missing 1t is believed
by the British authorities that all of
those reported missing were not capt
ured, but that many vert separated
from their command and are now with
other British organizations.
Pershing's Report
General Pershing's report says:
"In reference to mention in summary
Of activities, noon. March "a to March
Is, of American troops fighting with
British armies, and TO the daily cabled
summary Of the BATTLE March 90. 1918.
the following has now been established
from official reports:
"The commanding officer of a United
States engineers regiment has received
copy OF the following letter COM
mending the action of the troops of his
regiment:
az have received the following from
the commanding general -- corps:
@'"I desire to convey to you and ranks
under your orders my admiration of
tie splendid service which you and
they have rendered in connection with
corps light railroad. Thanks to the
untiring energy Of officers, non-com-
missioned officers and men, who have
risen to the occasion in a manner be-
ycnd all praise, and their gallantry,
much of what might otherwise have
saved I should like to add my own
appreciation of the excellent services
rendered by the officers. non-commis-
stoned officers and men of the light
railroad service of this army director
ate in connection with the present
operation. Will you be good enough
to acquaint all ranks serving under you
Of the appreciation accorded to their
untiring service ?"'
Describes Troop Movements
Certain units of certain United
States engineers serving with a British
army between March p and April 3
while under shell FIRE carried out de-
struction of material dumps at Chaul-
mes, fell back with the British forces
to toMoreuil, where the commands laid out
trench work. then proceeded to De-
NUN, and were assigned a sector of
defensive line, which was constructed
and manned by them, thence moved to
a position in the line near Warfussee-
Abancourt, and extending to north side
Of Bois de Toillauw.
The commands started for this posi-
ton on March 81 and occupied it until
april 8, during this time the COM
handing officer of a unit of United
States engineers being in command of
the sub-sector occupied by his troops.
This command was in more or less con-
tinuous action during it's stay in this
position. On April the command was
ordered to fall back to Abbeville
"The casualties durin the period
March q to April 3 were: Officers,