Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-04-20
'PERSHlNG'S
REPORT ON
ENGINEERS
Held Sub-sectOr of line
Against Attacks
% KILLED AND
IS WOUNDED
Commanding Officer of Engi-
neers' Regiment Receives a
Letter Commencing Action
of His Troops

Washington, April 19.-General
Pershing's report Of the gallant con-
duct of American engineer troops
with the British Fifth Army in help
ing check the German advance in the
carly days Of the great offensive.
reached the War Department late to-
day and was made pubic by Secrc~
tary Bakel
1T will make splendid reading for
Americans said the Secretary.
American losses in the period from
March Fl to April 3, during which
tho engineers consolidated ana held
a sub sector of the British lines
against repeated assaults were Civ
en- as two officers killel ana three
wounded twenty men killed and 81
wounded, End as missing. II is be
lieved by the British authorities that
all those reported missing were not
captured but that many were separ-
ated from their coumai1 and are
now with other British organizations.
General l'ershing's report says:
"In reference TO mention in sum-
mary Of activities noon March eth
| to March 18th of American troops
fighting with British armies and to
the daily cabled summary Of the
battle March 18th, 1913, the follow
ing has now been established frccl
official reports:
1.-The commanding officer of a
United States Engineers Regiment
has received copy of the following
letter cOr1mendng tnp action If the
! troops of his regiment:
! 81 have received the following
, from the commanding general -
corps: L desire to convey to you
| and ranks under your orders my ad-
miration of the splendid service
which you and they have rendered
! in connection with corps light rail-
road. Thanks to the untiring ener-
oy of officers, commissioned Of
| ficers, and men, who have risen to
the occasion in q manner beyond all
praise, and their gallantry, much OF
what might otherwise have fallen
into the enemy's hands, has been
saved
81 should like to add my own APP
probation of the excellent services
rendered by the officers, non-commls :
stoned officers and men of the Light
Railroad Service Of this army direc
torate. in connection with the pres
ent operation. Will You be good
enough to acquaint all ranks serving
under you Of the appreciation accord :
ed to their untiring service.
Certain units of United States
ENGINEERS serving with British
army between March 21st and April
| 3rd while under shell fire. carried
out destruction of material dumps at
| Chaulnes, fell back with British for
ces to Moruil. where the commands
| laid out trench work. then proceeded
to demuin and was assigned sector OF
defensive line which was construct
ed and manned by them, then moved
TO a position in the line near War
fusee Abancourt and extending to
north side of Bots Dc ToillauW.
The commands started for this po-
! sition on March 9th and occupied II
until April 3rd. during this time the
commanding officer of unit Of | M
| ted States Engineers being in com
! mand of the Sub-Sector occupied by
! his troops. This command was III
mora or less continuous action during
! IFS STAY in this position. On April Bird
| tho command was ordered to fall back
! to AbbeVille.
| "The casualties during the period
| March 2lst to April 3rd, We're. ottlcerS
! killed 2: wounded 9; men killed -o'
! wounded 50; A. men reported missing
/ but it is believed by the British au'
thoritics that they We're not al cap
| tured. and that many OF them were
separatcd from their command anf
arc now with other British organiza
lions. This report of casualties doe
not consider one detachment 81 Z
men from which no report has beef
! received.
The report also quotes the lette
sent bv British General II. l.. Muller
command 4 cavalry division, to tn
commander of one Of the American
Engineering units. conveying the con
cratulations of his superior and N
letter sent by British General Rawlin
son. commanding the British arm,
engaged in that sector to the enSinee
! officer in command of the sub-sectol
both of which We're made pubAc yes
terday in France.