Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-10-06
Captured by Huns, Marshalltown Dough-
bow Kills Guard and Makes His Escape

To - captured by Huns, held Q pris-
oner q few hours and to escape by
shooting down his guard. was the ex-
perience in France of Paul H. WILL
schultz, Of this city. son Of MI. and Mrs.
Peter Wiischutz, who served in France
as a member OF Company D. Second
engineers. Wilschuts's story is one Of
the most thrilling that has come from
q Marshall county veteran.
Shortly before the end Of the war
the wilschutz family was notified by
the war department that the son was
missing in action in June, 1918, and
later he was reported prisoner. A
letter from the soldier boy, himself,
came to the parents the day before the
governments notice that he was miss
ing in action and little fear was felt
for his safety. Et
The story Of wilschutz's capture and
his thrilling escape came only with the
young mans return and the parents
were spared the anxiety which would
have resulted from knowledge Of the
truth while the young fighter was
overseas.
Attacked at the Wall.
During especial heavy fighting. while
the Yanks were advancing rapidly,
wilschutz's company moved far ahead
Of the supply trains and found itself
one day with little to eat and nothing
to drink
Between the American and German
lines, in no mans land" was an old
well and 1t became necessary to send
volunteers out to secure water for the
suffering soldiers. Wilschutz was the
first to volunteer and was placed in
carrying q goodly supply Of canteens.
The relief party crept thru the mist
of damp afternoon, arriving safely
at the well. The canteens were fill
ed and wilschutz gave the order to
return when the Huns discovered the
patty and opened machine gun fire.
The Yanks beat hasty retreat but in
the approaching darkness lost their
way and took refuge In a small clump
OF trees.
After debating the situation few
minutes, Wilschutz ordered his men to
stay under cover while he went out
In an endeavor to find the way back
to the American lines.
WiIsehutz on Reosnnoitrs.
Armed with his rifle and automatic,
and with another automatic, fully load
ed. tucked away in a rent in his trous-
ers leg, Wilschutz sailed forth. His
objective was the head Of a ravine near
which he knew an American sentry
was posted.
Night was falling and the dark
clouds and heavy mist made progress
difficult. Wilschutz, without compass
to guide him, took course which he
His movements, however. were in an
opposite direction, for presently he was
challenged. not by an American sentry
but by q guard with a heavy Teutonic
voice.
Wilschutz realized his position and
raised his hands. The sentry motioned
him to advance and after leading him
back a short distance directed him in
to shell hole occupied by four 9TH
er Germans.
Huns Disarm Him.
The Ysnk's gun, automatic and belt
were taken by his captors, who began
to question him in German. Wilschutz
signified that he did not understand,
altho he had acquired some knowledge
of the Hun language.
Failing to gain any information from
nj tN,a -
debate among themselves whether they
should kill their prisoner or send him
back to the front lines. This debate
was interesting to the subject Of the
conversation insofar as It referred to
his disposition.
Finally It was agreed to dispatch one
OF the men back to headquarters with
the prisoner and Wilschutz was direct
ed to crawl from the shell hole. He
did so and q burly Hun, rifle in hand.
followed. The other occupants crawl
ed out Of the shelter to watch the de-
partura.
Wilschutz attempted to quicken his
steps but his guard heightened his
stride accordingly. Glancing over his
shoulder, Wilschutz noticed that the
guard had swung his rifle over his
shoulder with the rifle strap and seiz-
Ing the opportunity for flight reach
ed into the. rent in his trousers les and
grabbed the hidden automatic.
Kills His Guard.
Wheeling quickly. Wilschutz sent a
bullet thru the body Of the guard, who
dropped like plummet. The Yank
then turned and ram Rifle shots from
the shell hole told him the Huns were
alert and he halted long enough to
empty his revolver In the direction OF
his pursuers. One Of the approaching
Huns was dropped but whether the
other shots took effect Wilschutz never
will know. 4
4 Making detour Of the shell hole.
momentarily expecting to run upon
other nests Of Huns. GWnschutz took q
hap-hasard course, hoping to strike the
American lines.
Lost ;i1 the t:.ic!.ss.:ss darkness the
Yank wandered about aimlessly for
some time. His moves were cautious
but he .felt comparatively safe as Ions
- he did not approach within Z few
feet Of the enemy.
Presently n object appeared before