Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-08
AMERICANS TOO EAGER
IN CHARGING GERMANS
Have to Learn That 1t Is Dangerous
TO Approach Their Own
Ifarragc.
AUSTRALIAN HAS APT PUPIL
BOY From Western Farm Quick to
learn From Anzac How to Fight
ut IIamcl on Day OF Indcpcnd-
cncc.

FRANCE. July 7.-"Iiey, Yankee. take
il Il hit easy and wait for me. You
ain, running no bloody hundred-yard
dash. YOU know
The speaker was a giant Australian.
loose Of limb and with face bronzed
by years OF constant exposure TO the
sun. Ills companion was equally sturdy
his Drawn acquired on his fathers
farm III Il far Western State.
II was dawn OF July 4. and these
two. with many others from Australia
and America. were just pushing out
across the still mist shroudcd field
that stretched away along the Somme
Valley towards the stronEholds of the
Germans. whom they were that day
to vanpuish i'm the first Anglo Ameri-
can attack OF history.
Just ahead OF thcm was curtain
Of breaking shells from hundreds OF
British guns in the rear. clearing the
way for their advance. and the Ianks
were having their initial experience
with barr1go fire.
..TIIhT MARRIAGE THERE
AMT No BLINKING BAR"
That barragc." continued the Aus
tralian. as he cleared a shell hole with
dying leap. landing beside his com
panion, that harraEe amt no blinking
bar to he leaned against. youngstcr."
or on their right other men from
tho United states were eagerly press
ing forward with rifles graspcd tensely
and faces cXpectant. out ahead there
somewhere they were TO have their
initiation into real warfare. They did
not know exactly what 1t would be
like. but they were running.to 1t WITH
mn impetuous disregard for the death
that might be waiting for them.
Suddenly, one boy who had pushed
ahead OF the others staggered back
hlindly and clutchcd At one arm, which
hung helpless by his side. Il was
Just telling YOU So" muttercd the
Australian to his companion.
"Why-why, it's good old Tom"
stammcred the other. with a catch In
his voice. 1t was the first time he
had ever seen man hit in battle. and
this was one OF his own pals.
Too bad. but those things happen"
remarked The veteran. terscly; he can
be damned glad he amt dead You fell
lows have got 10 learn not to charge
into barrage. 1t don't help to lick
the boche. know how you feel
you want to get at EN-. but there's time,
Old son, there's time for it,
The American fell in beside the Aus
tralian and pushed ahead, thouShtfully.
He had his first vital lesson in war
fare as il is wagcd to-day.
He must not let his cagerncss carry
him ahead too fast so that he would
get caught III that crashing line OF
steel. old Tom had just learned by
burning his fingers that fire was hot
and other American boys were getting
tho same hard fact driven home 10
them. strange rs ii might seem. that
there was such 4 thing S too much
speed in rushing the enemy.
The Australian and The American
pushed forward through the tightening
gloom. From somewhere far ahead
tho C;crmap machine guns began their
stacca,o barking, and bullets came
singing among the allies ike swarMs
OF angry bees.
sharply as screaming pellet swished
past his ear You lodged that one
al right! Good work, Yank. good
work" the veteran said with grin.
You fellows are mighty qutck.
The American blushed under his tan
all right, shorty" he replied. through
clenchcd teeth The bullets kept COM
ing in waves. but the American did
not dodge again.
ON they went down the smell torn
slonc that led to the IInmel wood. They
had encountered no enemy as yet. but
ihcv were in the zone of barDcd wire
that tore their legs cruelty at tines
as they pushed through the network
Of sharp spikes. Then came the arst
German trench defense and IN run
way wcr. several gray coats hrins
with rifles at tho advancing troops
Tilt them. ranh NJ II Echt" t"r
Australian an" ne nprie" hi''sc'i oN''
the parapct like a tiger
AMERICAN AND AtSTRh ALLAN
KILL FoIH "EhhAHS
There was no necessity to urge the
Yankee. He was down among the
Germans like whir'"inh. ana then
there began furious iunEine ana
parrying With the bayoncts. There
were four Germans In 'na' PIT sici.
sirapplns icIoWS WIN penny "a ue"'
III 'h'H'' INC H"t'I'hn va" ; -, So.
tie rage ana ne 49, ,"s., ~, nh,-,cl
"''h tht E"m'. ~ ,,,.,dn,s ,nnihod
,'F,"'' M VA - nomopt and The
:, - a. 'rI,mnird i'm the ditch. The
,n,n,jcan ma accounted for Two of
,hcm: he had held his own
GOOD fellow, Yank YOU certainly
can nght," the Australian said. but
hcll man. don't ever stab another
horhn ibrough the chest. You'll bust
your steel and there ~ ne me "t\''
TO pay. Got en- IN mo
'"t. OF tho i'''''i 49,, rrn,,
We're ina'ht''"IhT = ~ 49,
e.