The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-04-20
BRITISH PRAISE
americans FOR
THEIR BRAVERY
Engineers Receive Official
COmmendatiOn From
Allies.
DEFEND LINE UNDER
MOST INTENSIVE FIRE
Yankees Were Assigned to
Trench Duty During
Battle.

Washington, April 10. General
pershins's report of the gallant con-
duct of American engineer troops with
the British fifth army in helping check
the German advance in the early days
of the great offensive reached the war
department late today and was made
public by Secretary Baker.
ut will make splendid reading for
Americans" said the secretary.
American losses in the period from
March 81 to April 3, during which the
engineers consolidated and held a sub
sector of the British lines against re-
peated assaults We're given as two Off
GERS killed and three wounded: 20 men
killed, 50 wounded and As missing. II
is believed by the British authorities
that all of those reported missing We're
not captured, but that many We're sep
arated from their command and are
now with other British organizations.
Congratulate American Regiment.
General Pershings report says:
In reference to mention in sum
mary of activities, noon, March "a, to
March 25. of American troops fighting
cabled summary of the battle March
80. 1918, the following has now been
established from official reports:
The commanding officer of a Unit
ed States engineers regiment has re-
ceved a copy Of the following letter
commencing the action of the troops
of his regiment.
~ have received the following from
the commanding general--corps:
GaIIantry Checks Huns.
- desire to convey to you and
ranks under your orders my admiration
of the splendid service which you and
they have rendered in connection with
corps light railroad, Thanks to the un-
firing energy of officers, nom commits
stoned officers and men who have
risen to the occasion in manner be-
yond all praise in their gallantry, much
of what might otherwise have fallen
into the enemy's hands has been saved.
~ should like to add my own ap-
probation of the excellent services
rendered by the officers. non commits
stoned officers and men of the light
railroad service of this army director
ate. in connection with the present
operation. VIII you he good enough
to acquaint all ranks serving under
you of the appreciation accorded to
their untiring service
Twelve Days In Fight.
Certain units of United States engi-
neers serving with British army be
tween March q and April 3, while un-
der shell fire, carried out destruction
of material dumps at Chauines, 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 IN
the line near Warfusee- Abancourt and
extending to north side of Bois de
Toillauw. The commands started TO!
this position on March 2T and occu'
pied il until April 3. during this time
the commanding officer of unit o
United States engineers being in com
mand of the sub-sector occupied b!
his troops. This command was in mor'
or less continuous action during II:
stay in this position. On April 3, tn
command was ordered to fall back t
Ahbeville.
Missing Not All Lost.
The casualties during the perio'
March n to April 3, were: Officer
killed. 2. wounded. 3, men I.illed, 20
wounded, So: A. men reported missing
hut il is believed by the British au
thorities that they were not all cap
tured and that many Of them Were sep
arated from their command and ar
now with other British organizations
This report of casualties does not con
slider one detachment of 81 men fror
which no report has been received
The report also quotes the letter sen
by British General II. l.. Mullers, com
manding a cavalry unit, 10 the com
mander of the American ehSineerin
units, conveying the congratulations a
his superior, and the letter sent b
British General Rawlinson- command
ing the British army engaged in tht
sector. to the engineer officer in CON
lnand of the sub sector, both of whit
IA In, M n