The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1918-07-11
AMERICAN VALOR
CAUSES COMMENT

friday, July 5.-All the traditions of
he United States army for valor
we're brilliantly sustained yesterday
n the successful attack made against
he Germans south of the River Som
ne when for the first time American
infantry took their place beside their
british cousins and fought shoulder
shoulder with them against the
common foe.
1t was baptism Of fire for the
Yankee soldiers on this front, stag.
cd on independence day and they
( :ame through with flying colors-
itting comrades for the famous Aus
ralian warriors whom they were as
sisting.
The Americans fought like fiends,"
| declared one British staff officer.
They did all Of that. They were
magnificent and folks ut home NAV
De proud Of the part their boys took
in this unique Forth Of July celebra-
ton in the shell-torn valley of the
winding Somme. They were fighting
over ground which had already been
stained with the blood of thousands
Of brave soldiers but no better troops
ever charged across the rolling fields
han the pioneers from the American
irmy. Along with this it is possible
20 make the cheerful statement that
their casualties were very small, ac-
cording to the latest reports. This
was probably due TO the weak resist
ince which the Germans offered t.
he Anglo-Amcrican onslaught
"One does not need to detract from
the work of the gallant Australians
oy telling Of the prowess Of the Ame-
ricans. The soldiers from the Anti.
podes far Outnumbered those from
he United States, and did CORES.
1onding amount Of the sanguinary la
Dor. 1t goes without saying that the
Dig framed men from Australia, who
fear neither man or devil, fought with
he customary ficrceness which has
made them terror to the enemy. |
Yesterdays operations were speciii- |
:ally plancd as Fourth Of July celc.
oration which should bring the Anne
.'icans into the British line for the
irst time. The American troops who |
we're to take part in this memorable
went were brigadcd with their Aus.
.ralian allies who took the deepest
interest in the forthcoming welding of
he line brothcrhoods. Plans were
carefully rehcarscd until every Anne.
rican knew his role as well as the
hardy veterans from his majesty's
army.
Few people along the front knew
OF the forthcoming event but the
British staff officers were watching
every move with the keenest atten-
tion. Those officers today were out
spokenIy delighted with what they
had seen. The Americans went over
he top with the Australians, behind
big tanks as though they had been do |
ing this thing all their lives Then |
came the clash with the enemy infan-
try among the shell hole defcnses and |
trenches under the gray light Of the
early dawn.
"There was no hesitation. For a |
week past the British experts had |
been dinning into the ears Of the |
Americans the words kill! kill! killv
1t is the cardinal slogan of the fight |
ing man and while it is not pleasant
to dwell upon yet that is what war is.
The Americans had learned their |
lesson well. The British officers
spoke of this after the affair was
over. No drill master ever got better
returns for his talks than the one who
taught the Americans this hardest |
lesson Of all. A great number Of
Germans paid the supreme price yes
terday and the men from the United
States cxacted very heavy toll.
"Thc Americans were naturally |
gratified last night over the success
of the operation in which they had
played creditable part and the Aus
tralans were no less pleased with
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