The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-10-05
3y Maurice RogeS

M,-,Ser If the Belgian Armored Car Squadron
D1DiNG m armored motorcars
\ IL across the length and breadth OF
Russia. fighting for Russian liberty
until our runs were taken from US
IN the shameless rehabilitation OF tho
Rolsheyiki, escaping finally By way OF
Siberia into Chira- $50 Of my Fellow
eountrylnen-I a merISer Of the party
have come now to the United States.
Unable to fight longer for Russia we
are bound back 10 Belgium to take
our stand once more beside our brave
brothers for the redemption OF our
Belgium and the triumph O. The Allies.
In at Archangel to the far north.
lighting for long, deep down IN the
southwestern arena OF Russia-in the
Irkrainan district-and out again
across the Trial mountains Into the
cold SHOWS and dreary eNiles OF ST.
IBERIA. we have seen Russia in al!
its parts. From the brave beginning
under Kerensky until the pitifal end
ing under the TrotzkyLenine admin
istration we have seen the rise and
fall of the Russian republic. Ten
million men who might have fought
on under the banners Of the Allies
have been taken out Of the great war
all because Of the socialistic over.
throw directed by n few men in the
interests Of one class rather than the
interests Of humanity.
Ii Russia had remained in the war
who knows Maybe it would have
6eca over now. Surely Germany
never would have been able to have
launched her spring offensive this year
Because of the millions Of men she
would have had to keep on the eastern
front. Will Russia get in again"
10 not know. Who can tell?
Sent Into Russia
There were $50 OF us-a sprishtly
. organization we'll trained. nicely
equipped with the armored motorcars
that came into the war early in the
first year. At the end OF 1915 it was
deemed expedient TO send US into
Russia. First Of all. il VAS expected
that the appearance OF squadron OF
Belgians with the story Of their
wronged country would make favor
able impression on the Russians and
eukindle the spirit Of brotherhood be-
tween the allies Of the east and the
allies OF the west. In the second
place. our armored cars were not so
effective and not so much needed on
the western front. where the warfare
had resolved itself into intensive ar
tiIlerying and trench lighting.
King Albert babe Us farewell and
we departed from our own dear Eative
hnd-then writhing under the hand
OF the invading oppressor. BY ship
we proceeded to ArchcnSel in the
5ar north and there prepared for our
)6ctive participation in the Russian
campaign. Then for twenty-eisht
months we saw active service in east
crn Galicla under the command OF
General BrussiloT. Here we partici-
patcd in all the stirring battles that
were part of the early drive against
the Germans-and still later in the
collapse Of these same armies before
Hun guns and subtle propaganda.
Here took place the huge offensive
Of 1916, which drove back the eneny's
front between BrzeZany and Brody.
Here also took place the sceat often
siye led by kereusky in 1917. Here
also the terrible disastcr-the collapse
OF the gigantic movement involving
millions Of men.
The armored car constitutes 4
weapon OF redoubtable efficiency. AL
ways in the front ranks our cars
spurred the Russians in their attacks.
Very often In the face OF German
attack our cars, coming up suddenly
with quick firing guns In action.
rallied the pantc-stricken Russians and
led them to q glorious victory. Our
cars were constantly in the thick OF
the fighting At Zborow in 1916. after
the Russians had captured the town
three Belgian armored cars held 1t
almost alone against the attacking
Huns. Russian soldiers in the front
line trenches outside the town were
wayering before the terrific barrage
laid down by the enemy. 1t seemed
they were about to break and run.
Uo came our cars. The dreadful fire
OF our machine guns swept the steppe:
the thin grayish line Of the advancing
line wavered. halted and finally fed
panic-stricken. 1t was a glorious
sight to behold what followed. The
Russians. overjoyed. rushed from
their trenches and embraced the
Belgians. caressing the motorcars In
their giee.
Always the armored car was rally