The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-04-20
ENGINEERS WHO
FOUGHT IN BIG
BATTLE LAUDED
'Interesting Reading for Ameri-
cans" Baker Declares Of
Detailed Reports ''
OWN OFFICERS COMMAND
Battalion and Two Regiments
Working With British Hold
~'"s''." Sub-SectOr

Washington, D. c., April 80
Detailed reports of the participa-
ton of American engineers with
the British army during the first
days of the Germans onslaught
have reached the war department
from General Pershing and will be
made public. "They will make splen-
did reading for Americans Secretary
aBker sid in making the announce.
ment. . '.".-
The text of a message from General
Rawlinson, the British commander, to
General Pershing highly praised the
Americans. is given The engineers
fought under their own officers They
lost two officers killed and three
wounded; twenty men killed and %
wounded, and 4, missing, some OF
whom probably will be found with
British organizations.
The report stell how two regiments
and a battalion of engineers, work
ing with the British forces, cOnsoli-
dated and held a sub-sectOr of the
British lines from March &c to April
3 against repeated German assaults
Pershin9's Report.
General Pershing's report says in
part:
In reference to mention in sum
mary of activities, noon March - to
March 25, of American troops fight
ing with British armies and to the
daily cabled summary of the battle.
March 20, 1918, the following has now
been established from official reports:
THE commanding officer Of a Unit
ed States engineers regiment has re-
ceived a copy of the following letter
commenting the action Of the troops
of his regiment:
4 have received the following from
the commanding general, --corps:
"I desire to convey to you and
ranks under your orders my admira
ton of the splendid service which you
and they have rendered in connec
ton with corps light railroad. Thanks
to the une iring energy OF officers,
non-commissioned officers and men,
who have risen to the occasion in d
manner beyond all praise, and their
gallantry, much OF what might other
wise have fallen into the enemy's
hands has been saved
"Acquaint All Ranks"
"I should like to add my own ap-
probation of the excellent services
rendered by the officers, non-commis-
stoned officers and men of the light
railroad service OF this army director
ate, in connection with the present
operation. Will you be good enough
Il to acuaint too their untiring service"
Certain units Of United States en-
gineers serving with british army
between March q and April 3, while
under shell fire, carried out destruc-
ton of material dumps at Chaulnes.
fell back with British forces to Nor.
euil, where the commands laid out
trench work. then proceeded to Dem.
uin, and was assigned sector Of de-
fensive line which was constructed
and manned by them thence moved
to position in The line near War
fusee- Abancourt and extending to
side of Bots De Toillauw. The com
mands started for this position on
March q and occupied it until April
3, during this time the commanding
officer OF a unit of United Sites en-
gineers being in Command OF the sub
sector occupied by his troops. This
command was in more or less con-
tinuous action during its stay in this
position. On April 8 the command
was ordered to fall back to Abbeville.