Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-29
Sharp Gun Flashes Reflected
on instruments Playing "star
SpangIed Banner"
Anthem HEARD BY FOES
FORCES DURING MARCH
q. s. Infantry Raked by Shrapnel
as Positions on Battle Front
Are Taken.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
WITH THE AMERICAN FORCES IN
NORTHERN FRANCE, Sunday, April
2S.-American troops have taken up
positions on the French battle front.
Under the French high command, in
which all ranks have supreme confidence,
the American forces face the enemy on
the line barring the Germans from
Paris and Amiens, where they have been
a certain number Of days.
Gunners Take Up Positions.
The Americans. on entering the line.
found their position in a rolling ter
rain. The artillery was the. first on
the line. entering on a dark night.
which was made red by the contlnu-
Gus flashes Of friendly and hostile guns.
Under a fire which in some cases was
rather heavy the American gunners
took up the positions of the French
batteries and completed the work OF
digging in.
When the infantry moved in. the firing
was just as intense. In some places
our troops. sfter passing through viii
Ilases, were raked now and tten with.
shrapnel In some instances they found
the trenches shallow while in other
cases there were no trenches at ALL BY
this time the positions have been i'm
proved greatly and the skell holes con-
nected.
The American lines generally are
about 900 to 400 yards apart. and the
high ground is about evenly divided.
What the future holds for the Ameri-
can forces is, of course, unknown. but
they are confident that under the effi-
cient French direction. although the
tasks ahead may be difficult. they will
give a coed account of Themselves and
strike the boche a blow if opportunity
offers.
IL should be understood that this sec
tor is not especially active in compari-
son with others to the north, although
it is more active than these the Ameri-
cans previously had faced. The artil-
lery firing is heavy and intermittent.
the German shells whizzihg over the
lines into towns in certain rear areas.
There has not been a raid on either side
of the line for several days, but at night
the patrols are active. Americans ap-
preaching close to the enemy's lines. All
during the night rapid machine gun and
rifle fire indicates where the American
bullets are keeping out enemy patrolllng
parties.
5 The march from the billet bases to the
line was very impressive. Many units
started Off with the strains Of THE Star
Spangled Banner" played by regimental
bands, in their ears.
At one place the tune must nave
reached the German. lines, SO close was the
band, the gun flashes being reflected on
the instruments. The constant roar OF
artillery was deafening as the Americans:
marching as if on parade. disappeared
down the roads past the American bat
teries which were sending many shells
into the enemy lines.
Share Rations With Refugees.
Along. some of the roads over which
the Americans passed they encountered
streams Of refugees gong .s .he s;,ontel. otner
for the most part. and the pitiful scenes
caused many an American to grit his
teeth. More than one infantryman has
shared his rations with some French
family whose only home was a farm
wagon containing a few of the most
cherished possessions:
entered the line diversions were pro-
yided for them. The regimental bands
played in almost every town where
troops were billeted, and they played
the latest American tunes, brought
over for them. Thousands of men
gathered to hear the bands. even stand
ing in pouring rain to listen to the
musicians and whistl-
ing all the tunes they knew.
On some evenings just after dusk
moving pictures have been shown in
various towns by the Y. Nj. c. A. Both
French and American films were dis
played and roars of approva. asSSted
well known moving picture actors.
There were especially loud cheers for
the woman stars, for the men have been
away from their wives and Sweethearts
for a long time. and even the pictures of
American women on screen was appre-
ciated vastly. Pictures showing scenes
in New York. Chicago, Washington and
only mud-splattered American soldiers
overseas on the eve of going into battle
could understand.
Unmindful of Hardships.
The training period for the Ameri-
can troops lasted few days, after
which they moved up to within sound
Of the guns. There they rested while
awaiting orders; to go into battle. at
the same time giving the last touches
to their equipment. Many an infantry
man curled up in his blankets under
the stars, the more lucky having beds
Of straw in houses or barns
The officers Jared about the same. All
appeared unmindful of their hardships
although it is tradition in the Amer
lean Army that the infantryman has to
have something to grumble about. pro-
Certain it is that the men are az
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