The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-29


pitfalls from the battle front.
Entered on Dark Night.
The Americans on entering the line,
found their positions in rolling ter
rain. The artillery was the first on
| the line, entering on dark night
which was made red by the con-
tinuous flashes of friendly and hos
| tile guns. Under a fire which in
some cases was rather heavy, the
| tons 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 after passing thru
villages were raked now and then
they found the trenches shallow,
while in other cases there were no
| trenches at all. By this time the posi-
! tons have been improved greatly and
the shell holes connected. The Ameri-
can lines generally are about zoo TO
| 200 yards apart and the high ground
| is about evenly divided.
What the future holds for the
American forces, is, of course I'M
| known, but the Americans are con-
| fident that under the efficient French
| direction, altho the tasks ahead may
be difficult, will give a good account
| of themselves and strike the boche a
| blow if opportunity offers.
Artillery Fire Intermittent.
1t should be understood that this
sector is not especially active in COM
parison with others to the north, al
| tho it is more active than those the
Americans previously had faced. The
artillery firing is heavy and interrnit-
tent, the German shells whizzing 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. Amer
! leans approaching close to the enemy
| lines. All during the night gun and
rifle fire indicate where the Ameri-
| can bullets are keeping out enemy
| patrolling parties.
| Like a Parade.
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.
At one place the tune must have
reached the German lines, so close was
the band, the gun flashes being re-
Elected on the instruments. The con-
slant roar of artillery was deafening
as the Americans, marching as if on
parade, disappeared down the roads
past the American batteries which
| were sending many shells into the
/ enemy lines.
Trained a Few Days.
| The training period for the Ameri-
can troops last a few days, after
which they moved up to within sound
of the guns There they rested while
| awaiting orders to go into the battle,
at the same time giving the last
touches to their equipment. Many an
| infantryman curled up in his blan-
| kets 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. a1tho it is tradition
in the American army that the infan-
tryman has to have something to
grumble about, providing he is in
i good health and spirits. Certain it is
that the men are as healthy, enthus-
| iastic and happy lot as every shoul-
1 dered rifle.
While awaiting for the time when
| the Germans again came across No
| Mans Land. the Americans have not
| lost sight of the battle progressing in
| their neighborhood. French and Eng
| lish newspapers were brought up as
| soon as the men arrived. Every pa
per passes thru hundreds of hands
and is read until it is in pieces.
Want Newspapers.
AS many as fifteen men may be
seen reading one paper at the same