The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-03-20
BAKER PARTY
HAS TASTE OF
THE BIG WAR
Huge Shell ExplOdes Within
Forty Yards Of Secretary's
Machine y
SAMMlES GIVEN CROSSES
Pershing Approves Award for
Z: Extraordinary Heroism-
Gas Attack Made

With the American Army
in France, Tuesday, March
20.-While Secretary Of War
Baker and his party were re.
turning today from the
"A m E ri can front line
trenches, a German LOS mill
ometer shell burst along the
roadside within 40 yards of
the automobile. The occu.
pants of the car were not in
jured.
The secretary visited an
advanced listening post and
talked with the officers and
men.
Approves Merit Award.
General Pershing. the American
commander in chief, has approved the
awarding of the frs; new American
military crosses for extraordinary
1eroism. The recipients are Lieuten-
INT John O. Green, Sargent William
Norton and Sargent Patrick Walsh.
s. : Make Gas Attack.
American artillery on the Toul
front has heavily attacked the Ger
mans with gas shells during the last
lay or so, it is now permitted to an
1ounce. Four different attacks we're
and from the manner in
which the enemy was silenced it is
evident they had the desired effect.
German Plane Chased Away.
During one period when the gas
shells were flying ovei' the enemy
ines last night, German aeroplane
with a red tail light appeared over
;he American lines and dropped red
'ocket for what purpose 1t IS not
Known. However,, shrapnel from Amer
can anti-aircraft batteries burst so
lear the German that he was immed-
otely. afterwards forced to fly for
lis own lines.
Last night the enemy observation
over and positions on Monts0 were
,helled heavily and heavy fire direct
I'd against the enemy lines today. At
loon today the enemy opened lively
ire on one of the American positions
With a 81 milimeter gun, from the cem-
,tery at Richcourt. The American
guns of the same calibre came into
action, and after they had fired 50
shells, the Germans ran from the po.
'itions and took their guns with them.
The American guns then shelled the
'illage of Lahayville. where two heavy
apparently Of munitions
stores, were caused.
The German artillery directed most
If it's attention to dropping few gas
shells into one or two towns within
he American lines, and shelling a
ross road known as Death Corner.
Enter German Lines.
Last night American patrols en-
cred the German front lines at two
points, but did not see single enemy
soldier, although they hunted some
ime. Another patrol remained in the
Enemy wire entanglements all night
,oping to ambush an expected enemy
,arty. but it did not appear. A third
,atrol party was discovered by the
,Grmans, who hurled hand grenades
md forced the Americans to with
lraw. Still another established con-
act with enemy patrols and a few
'hots were exchanged. The Ameri-
ans came through unscathed, but 1t Is
Unknown what happened to the Ger
mans. Many aeroplanes were up un'
II it began to rain at noon. One
from the rear Of the Ameri.
AN line drove off two BOche ma
;hines, after thrilling battle in and
,Gt of the clouds. Another aer0plane
vas engaged against German, when
J second German engaged in the fight.
friendly German cam e up to assist,
nut it was too late. for the aeroplane
he Americans hoped would be vic
orious fell within the American lines.
On the sector east of Luneville the
continues active, and few
American patrols have reached the en-
my lines. One party encountered an
'nemy patrol and forced the Germano
O withdraw after q sharp skirmish.