Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-04-22
Pershjng Con'mends
Work of Engineers
on French Front

| Washington, April 22.-General
| PerShing'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 and was made public by
Secretary Baker.
1T will make splendid reading for
Americans" said the secretary.
American losses in the period from
March 81 to April 8, during which the
engineers consolidated and held a sub
sector of the British lines against re-
peated assaults were given as two Of
ficers killed and three wounded; TWEEN
ty men killed and fifty-two wounded,
and forty five missing. 1t is believed
by the British authorities that all of
those reported missing were mot cap
tured but that many were separated
from their command and arc now with
other British organizations.
General Pershing's report says:
I'm reference to mention in sum-
mary OF activities, noon, March "a,
to March %, of American troops
fighting with British armies and to
the daily cabled summary Of the
battle. March %, 1918, the follow
ing has now been established from
official reports:
1.-The commanding officer Of a
United States engineers regiment
has received copy OF following let
ter commencing the action of the
troops of his regiment: I have re-
ceived the following from the COM
manding eeneral-corps:
az desire to convey to you and
ranks under your orders my admira-
ton Of the splendid aid which you
and they have rendered in connec-
ton with corps light railroad.
Thanks to the untiring energy Of Of
fcers, none commissioned officers,
and men, who have risen to the oc-
casion in a manner beyond all praise
might otherwise have fallen into the
| enemy's hands, has been saved.
From Commanding General.
ct should like to add my own APP
probation of the excellent services
rendered by the officers, non COM
missioned officers and men Of the
| light railroad service Of this army
directorate, in connection with the
present operation. Will you be good
enough to acquaint all ranks serv-
ing under you of the> appreciation
accorded to their untiring service
| Certain units of the United States
engineers serving with British
army between March 81 and April 8
while under shell fire, carried out
destruction of material dumps at
Chaulnes, fell back with British
forces to Moreuil where the COM
mands laid out - ch work. then
proceeded to Demut.. and was assigned
sector of defensive line which was
constructed and manned by them.
thence moved to position in the
line near Warfusee- Abancourt and
extending to the north side OF Bots
de Toillanx. The commands start
ed for this position on March q and
occupied it until April 3, during this
time the commanding officer Of a
unit Of the United states engineers
being in command of subsector &C.
cupied by his troops. This COM
mand was in more or less continuous
action during its stay in this, posi-
ton. On April 3 the command was
ordered to fall back to Abbevllle.
Honors are Earned.
"The casualties during the period,
March 81 to April 3, were: officers,
killed three; wounded 3; men killed
twenty. wounded so; forty-five men
reported missing, but it is believed by
the British authorities that they were
not all captured, and that.many of them
were separated from their command
and are now, with other British or
CARNATIONS. This report Of casual
ties does not consider one detachi
ment of fifty-seven men from which
no report has been received
The report also quotes the letter
sent by British General II. l.. Null
lers, commanding cavalry unit, to
the commander of the American en-
| sineering units. conveying the con-
gratulations of his superior. and the
letter sent by British General Raw
linson, commanding the British army
engaged in that sector. to the en-
sineer officer in command Of the
sub sector. both of which were made
public Yesterday in France