The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1919-01-25
LAURELS FOR 325TH. ONLY CO..
ORED SIGNAL BATTALION IN A. EFF.
(Coptlnued from page b

the first two OF the Signal Battalion
to make the supreme sacrifice.
On the 10th Of October the 92nd
Division took over the Marbache sec
tor, relieving the 10th French Di.
ision, and here, also. the 325th Field
Signal Battalion took over all exist
ing lines Of communications, and In
the days following Installed new lines,
and maintained corrections between
the various units OF the 92nd. Division.
This was no small duty, when 1t is re-
membered that an army sector" ex-
tends over wide area Of many square
miles, including IN II from so to 100
cities and town. The Barbache sec
tor was an active front, and time and
time again did these boys so ahead
repairing lines. establishing new com.
munications under shell fire, with no
thought OF personal danger-inspired
only by that ideal OF The Signal Corps
man-get communication through at
any cost, but get It through.
On the morning of November 10th
the Second Army launched its attack
on the famous Hindenburg line before
Metz, the 92nd Division, with which
was with during this big attack, was
holding the line OF Vandieres-St.
Michel Von.Norry. During the en-
tire engagement, which lasted from 7
o'clock the morning of the 10, to II
a. m. OF the 18th, the entire Signal
Corps functuated splendidly, and as
one man, keeping up communications,
installing new lines, repairing those
shelled out.
In writing the "finis" to this brief
mention of this important army unit
made up of young Colored men 1t Is Mt
ting that | tell of the particular work
done by the boys of the LIST Platoon
on the first day of the Metz battle.
Shortly after the barrage was lifted,
the big guns of the enemy began
Smelling Pont-a- Mousson. The first
shells. as | wildly recall hit on the
edge of the city, and then gradually
they began peppering the Signal Bat
talions station. Sergeant Rufus b.
Atwood, Of the LIST, Platoon was seated
in the cellar near the switchboard;
Private Edgar White was operating
the switchbohd, and Private Clark the
buzzerphone. Several officers and
men were standing in the "dugout"
cellar Suddenly a German shell
struck the top passed through the
ceiling and wall, and exploded, max
ing havoc of the cellar. Lieut. Walker,
Colored, who arrived just at this time,
displayed admirable courage. He took
immediate charge and directed things.
Sergeant Atwood tried out the switch
board. and found all its lines broken.
He found on trying it, the buzzerphone
out. Private White then received
orders to stay on the switchboard,
and Corporal Adolphus Johnson on the
buzzerphone. The IL drop mono
cord board was nailed up by White,
and then began the connecting up of
the lines from the outside to the mono
cord board. All this time the she'll
ing around this point, by the Germans
was fierce and deadly--shells hitting
all around the boys; struck near by
dump, causing the explo-
ton, which caused a terrific shock and
all lights to be extinguished But still
these men worked on, and would not
leave this dangerous post, veritable
target for the enemy's big guns until
the Lieutenant of the Military Police
arrived and ordered them out.
What these boys of the 325th Signal
have learned respecting
radio, telephone and telegraphic work
Is of little advantage to any one. What
thew have learned about It will be of
great advantage to them when they
return in making a living The S25th
Field Signal Battalion. whose rank
and file is made up of young Colored
men, has been a marvellous success.