Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-15

de Gulrre war cross.
The Americans decorat-
ed belong to the same tJrce that took
over a trench in the orraine sector
which they had compelled the Germ.
ans to eyacuate by their concentrated
and sustained artillery fire and by
frequent spirited raids. The Ameri-
cans now hold the new positions hav-
ing occupied it at o'clock on We'd
nesday morning.
The enemy made a. few feeble ef.
forts to recapture their lost ground
but We're repulsed by the Americans
in every attack
The Americans found the positions
badly battered by shell fire but soon
recognized ii and put it in good de-
fensive shape. This was the first
actual permanent advance the Ameri-
cans have scored since they reached
the firing line.
The captured ground is nearly two
miles long and situated upon higher
ground than the former advanced po-
stion the F'ranco.American troops
have held
The old German entanglements sep
aratng their front lines from their
second line positions is now being us
ed to protect the new American line
being enclosed with new wire wall
The decorations bestowed upon the
honored American fighters We're pre-
sented by French general The war
trophies were given for acts OF bravery
in the various engagements that Am
ericans have taken part in since they
took over the first line positions.
A couple Of the Americans reward
ed have been killed in action and they
wore trophies which were spiked up
on the lids of their collins before the
bodies were buried
Most of the other honored men are
N hospitals. Their decorations were
pinned above their cots.
Col Douglas Macarthur is the chief
OF staff who received medal for Eek
treme val0r in participating in
French attack with French troops IN
order to observe personally the me-
thods used by infantry and artillery
for French engagements, risking his
life that the lives of soldiers in the
future might be preserved, and cap
turing single handed a Bayarian Off
Ger
The soldiers thus cited for yalor are
all members of the Rainbow Division
and hail from Iowa.
Germans Admit Losses.
Amsterdam. March ia success
Of considerable magnitude was gained
1y the French last night in a power
ful thrust east of Rheims, according
to an official report issued by the
German war Office today. said dis
patch from Berlin
1t was admitted by the official state
ment that the French gained foot
ing on the German position at a eer-
tain place but elsewhere, the state
ment added the attackers were re-
pulsed
The French advanced on a wide
front west OF Thuisy on the Naurv
road
The war office declared that sig.
Mailing was observed on the Rheims
Cathedral
Correspondent Flies over Lines.
(By II. G Wales)
With the American Army in
France, March l3 Delayed).-I have
Just made a trip in an aeroplane two
miles inside the German line and had
a good opportunity to see the destruc.
tion done by the American artillery
Even while the tight was In progress
American shells could be seen drop
ping upon the ground sending mp
great showers OF dir and smoke.
As the aeroplane was travelling at
sn altitude of $500 feet the sound Of
explosions could not be heard
The plane flew over The American
lines on The Toul front crossing No
Mans Land and penetrating as far as
the German second line positions
This fight was the first OF eiyili
an over the actual fighting front in
this sector.
-Hsae-as--4---
nlIlNaO ANIIhran