New Britain herald., 1918-07-24
How Our Men Fight.
(LOndon Sphere)

Some of the most brilliant hghtirg
I on the part of the Allies during the
battle of May 27~June was achieved
by American machine gunners at
Chateau-Thierry. The German adj
vance guard reached Chateau-Thierry
on May 81, when the Am ericans and
some French colonial troops weraf
quietly resting in bi11ets south of the
town. The local French commander
at once rushed them up to the de-
renee Of the place. The Americans
took up position to defend the bridge
over the Marine, while the French
oolonta!s. admirably supported by
their allies machine guns. made a.
dashtng counter attack and drove the
Germans off. Chateau-Thierry is cut
In two by the Marine. and it was de-
cided not to attempt to retain the
northern part. The Americans COW
cred the withdrawal Of the French
| infantry with complete success.
The next day, at o'clock in the
evening", says correspondent, the
Germans tOk advantage of darkness
to steal UP to the bridge through the
suburbs on the west side of the town.
masking their approach with smoke
grenades which made machine gun;
shooting very difficult, the town
meanwhile being subjected to heavy
bonn bardment The Germans succeed
ed in reaching the bridge, and soma
Of them, who were promptly mada
prisoners, oven got to the French
side. But the bulk of them were de-
stroyed by an explosion thoughtfuI1y
arranged for them by the Americans
as they were in the act of crossing
the bridge, and from that time on this
machine gun unit has shown such Wig
lance in watching the bridge as welt
as in preventing all attempts to con-
struct temporary substitutes, that il
has been impossible for the enemy
either to repair the bridge or to get
across in any other way" :
The incident was of importance. be-
caust the Americans showed their
quality as warriors in the most une-
quivocal manner The correspondent
says of them: THE colonials, who are
pretty competent judges are particu-
larry keen about their GOODNESS and
courage under fire as well as thAin
deadly execution and the thorough
way in which they have guarded an-
proa ches to the river. They have done
their work so well that the Germans
prefer not to occupy the part of the
town which has been evacuated. It is.
not, say the French, a, healthy PLACES
for q picnic. Nor, as a, matter of fact,
was the American post on this side of
the bridge. But what they have done
was worth the loss it cost them, not
only because it enabled the French
troops to get away from the town and
has prevented the enemy from estab-,
fishing himself in it, but because ing
one action it has earned for them the
affectionate admiration of the French
by whose side they are fighting. These
are allies worth having. That is what
the French feel and say. and every
Engltshman will agree with them L
saw one of their divisions moving up;
to their billets today, and as soldiers
one could not wish for a cleaner, fin.
er, healthier, and more cheerful look
ing lot of men. They have, too, al
great look of intelligence We shall
see them, there is not a shadow OF
doubt do great things
There are no two opinions concerns
ing the magnificent fighting duality of
the army which the United States arei-
pouring into France. Day by day its
strength increases, and that we'll
known fact is in itself an explanation
of the rapidly succeeding efforts OF
the Germans to strike a decisive blow