The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-07-08
~ Aegoelated Presa.l

80 With the British Army In France
Sunday, July I'm the German
counter attack against the new posi-
tons gained by the Australians anc
Americans around Hamel, two
Americans and five Australians were
captured by the enemy. Volunteers
were called for and an American
party brought back the captured meI
and a German officer, while IL Aus
traltans brought the number OF Ger
man prisoners to so. The story OF
this incident as told by an American
officer who took part In the fight
ing follows:
til Thursday night when they made
their counter attack, which was re-
pulsed. They did succeed in the
first rush, however, in getting hold
OF two Americans and five AustraI-
ians, whom they carried back. 49,
I'VE called for volunteers to so out
after these captured lads and all our
men at once began yelling for the
chance. Corporal Raymond Powell
was first up and he was given a
squad Of men for the work.
"The guns had put down a heavy
barrage, but the corporal led his
chaps straight through this fierce
fire and charged hot foot after the
retreating enemy. The Germans re-
tired to strong point. The cor
poral with the other Yankees went
in after them.
Our two boys were retaken along
with the five Australians and the
corporal and his party also captured
a Boche officer. In the meantime
IL Australians had circled around
and Joined the American party with
the result that so German prisoners
were brought back.
Goes After Sniper.
That night a Boche sniper caused
a lot Of trouble from q nest in the
front line and one Of my men went
out across No Mans Land alone
after him. The Yankee got him and
left him dead on the field.
Recounting a story he had heard
Of the grit Of an American corporal,
the officer continued:
1.-THE Australian officer was tell
ing me about one Of our corpora4s
who did what was considered a fine
piece Of work This. lad had charge
Of a machine gun squad. Early IN
the push all his comrades were
knocked out by shell fire and he was
left alone with the gun.
HE knew that the gun was needed
80 he started forward with it him
self. 1t was no light job, but he kept
setting it up and working it until he
got through to the final objective,
where he made his final stand. He
was pumping away religiously at the
Boobies and the Australian officer
was watching him with interest for
he knew he was green man and
admired the way he was carrying on.
Suddenly the corporal raised himself
up and then dropped to his knee
again with his head hanging,
Darned Thing Didn't Kick!
Whats the matter, Yank? Are
you hit? called the officer, No, sir
replied the corporal quickly, but do
YOU know this darned thing don't
kick at ALL After fighting nagnifi-
Gently with his gun for so long the
corporal had just made that big dis
covery and he simply stopped fir
ing for a moment to inspect his gun
with new interest. The officer was
delighted with the soldiers action
and told the story to us later.
1--WE were surprised" the officer
added, "at some Of the prisoners
taken. Most of them were strapping
fellows, but there were lot Of them
who, while big, were very young. The
Roche put over some gas at one
time, but It was only mighty good
experience for our men as they were
equipped with the masks.
'I want to say here that those
Australians are magnificent fighters.
we have been learning the game
from them. Our fellows watched
the veterans closely and it was a
case of imitation without a second
lesson.
During the evening Of the day the