The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-09-13

With the British Army In France ,
All the traditions Of the United States
army for valor were brilliantly sus-
tanned In the successful attack made
against the Germans south of the
River Somme when for the first time
American infantrymen took their
stand beside their British cousins and
fought shoulder to shoulder with them
against the common foe.
1t was baptism of fire for the Yam
kee soldiers on this front, and they
came through with flying colOrs, prov
ing fitting comrades for the Austria
liam warriors whom they were assist
ing.
THE Americans fought like fiends,"
| declared one British staff officer. They
did all of that They were magnificent,
and the folks at home may be proud
of the part their boys took In the
shell-torn valley Of the winding Somme.
They were fighting over ground al
ready stained with the blood OF thou
sands Of brave soldiers, but no better
| troops ever charged across the rolling
4 fields than the pioneers from the
American army. Along with this it is
possible to make the cheerful state
ment that their casualties were very
small Virtually the entire body OF
Americans came through unscathed.
This was probably due to the weak re-
sistance which the Germans offered to
the Anglo-American onslaught.
One does rot need to detract from
the work of the Australians by telling
of the prowess of the Americans. The
soldiers from the antipodes far out
numbered those from the United
States and did corresponding
amount of the sanguinary labor. 1t
goes without saying that the big
framed men from Australia, who fear
neither man nor devil, fought with the
nerceness which has made them ter
ror to the enemy.
The American troops who were to
take part were brigaded with their
Australian allies, who took the deep
est interest in the welding of the link
Of brotherhood. The plans were care
, fully rehearsed until every American
knew his role almost as well as the
: hardy veterans from his majesty
army.
Few along the front knew of the
event. but the British staff officers
were watching every move with the
keenest attention. Those officers to-
, day were outspokenly delighted with
2 what they had seen.
Enjoned to "kiIt," and They Did.
For week the British experts had
been DINING into the ears of tho
> Americans the words, xiii XIII
XIII % as the cardinal slogan of the
i fighting man.
The Americans had learned theil
lesson well. The British officers spok,
of this after the affair was over. NJ
{ drillmfSter ever got better returns fol
4 his talks than the one who laugh
these Americans this hardest lessor
Of all. A large number of German.
Il paid the price, and the men from thu
u United States exacted a heavy toll.
! The Americans were naturally happ,
: over the success of the operation IL
I which they had played creditabl,
5 part, and the Australians were no les
e pleased with their new-found pals.
The general in command of tn
: American troops was also pleased will
the work his men had done.
'Our troops understood thorough,
e when they went over the top that the.
: were expected 70 do no less than an,
II of their allies" said the general to tn,
e correspondent. reports which | hav
L received from the Australians indcat
that our boys conducted themselve
Il with great credit and did all that coul,
have been wished"
The correspondent visited casualt,
clearing stations to see some Of tn
wounded Yankees who had gon
through the fight.
Boy Ccrporal's Story.
Lying on cot, fianked by Britisl
Ndiers vas Chicago lad who ma,