The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-08-05

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 theil
stand beside their British cousins and
fought shoulder to shoulder with them
against the common foe.
1t was aibaptism Of fire for the Yam
kee soldiers on this front, and they
came through with flying colors, prov
ing fitting comrades for the Austria
lian warriors whom they were assist,
ing.
'"The Americans fought like fends,
declared one British staff officer. They
did all Of that. They We're 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
fields than the pioneers from the
American army. Along with this 1t 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 not 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. It
goes without saying that the big
framed men from Australia, who fear
neither man nor devil, fought with the
flerceness 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 we'll as the
hardy veterans from his majesty's
army. a.. Y
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
what they had seen.
Enjoined to "kiII," and They Did.
For Il week the British experts had
been ttlinning into the ears Of the
Americans the words, xiii! Kill!
Killv' as the cardinal slogan Of the
fighting man. X,
The Americans had learned their
lesson.well The British officers spoke
of this after the affair WAS over. No
.drfilmaster ever got better returns for
his talks than the one who taught
these Americans this hardest lesson
of all. "A large number of Germans
paid the price, and the men from the
United States exacted a heavy toll.
The Americans were naturally happy
over the success of the operation in
which they had played a creditable
part. and the Australians were no less
pleased with their neys-found pals.
The general in command Of the
troops was also pleased with
the work his men had done.
sour troops understood thoroughly
when they went over the top that they
were expected to do no less than any
of their allies" said the general to the
correspondent. "Reports which l have
received from the Australians indicate.
that our boys conducted themselves
with great credit and did all that could
have been wished"
The correspondent visited casualty
stations to see some Of the
Yankees who had. gone
through the fight. "a.
Boy corporaI's eto'y.
Lying on cot, flanxed a1y British
soldiers, was Chicago lad who had
been shot in the leg after a gallant
fight. Hewas a bue.eyed, 'round-faced
who looked strangely oht Of
place among the older veterans. He
said hewas twenty years c'd, but he
was nothing more than likable boy
with winning, but somewhat wistful,
smile. The correspondent introduced
himself and told the little soldier how
proud everybody was of the Ameri-
cans. The boys lips trembled, but his
eyes Enlightened. u
"Are you from America, too?" he
cried, as he eagerly put out hand.
'Oh, I'm so glad Of that"
He was homesick and hurt and want
ed comfort from somebody from home.
friendly cha began and the SOL
Her chung desperately to the CORE
,pondent's hand. Suddenly his eyes
fastened on the correspondents Brit
sh uniform and look Of disappoint-
nent came to his face.
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