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June 23, 1918 - Don Martin reports on dastardly deeds by Germans


Don Martin diary entry for Sunday, June 23, 1918: 
Went with [Edwin] James [New York Times] to 2nd division headquarters. Stopped at La Ferte where the new American corps headquarters is. Saw American soldiers everywhere. Heard lots of dope from chief of staff which is rather discouraging. Says French won’t let Americans fire artillery because they want to keep supply to meet new German drive. Says Americans getting badly treated by French. Hardly think Conger is right. Anyhow wouldn’t write it even if the censor would permit it. Stopped at cemetery in Meaux. Saw new graves, 50 Americans killed last week. French putting flowers on them.
            Don Martin prepared a dispatch dated Sunday about German treachery, which was published in the Paris Herald on June 24.
Germans Pretend To Yield, 
Then Bomb Americans
(SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE HERALD.)
By DON MARTIN.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY, Sunday. [June 23]
                   During the last few days and nights, there has been little activity on the front held by American troops, north-west of Château-Thierry. The Germans have shelled roads and many areas back of our first lines, but with little effect. Prussian aeroplanes have been seen frequently, but have not been successful in their attempts at observation.
                     Further evidences of the trickery and treachery of the German soldiers was furnished the other night, when American troops went into the northern tip of the Bois de Belleau to clean out some Germans, who were apparently seeking to establish there some new machine-gun positions. A group of Germans was encountered and was at the mercy of the Americans who, despite the perfidy and chicanery of the Germans, nevertheless show in all their contests a spirit of fairness and sportsmanship.
                   The Germans, seeing the apparent hopelessness of their position, shouted "Kamerad" with a lustiness and, as the Americans assumed, sincerity. The Americans thereupon approached with the intension of taking them prisoners. Instantly the Americans were showered with hand-grenades. The Germans seized the opportunity to dash back to their comrades, who, however, did not attempt to advance. This is but one of scores of instances of treachery marked up against the Germans in the comparatively small sectors held by the Americans.
                A nineteen-year-old German surrendered to the Americans a few nights ago. He said he was sick of the war and that his companions are tired of it also. In his simple way he gave a rather different impression than conveyed by the German communiqués, of the opinion the Germans have of the Americans. He said they regard the Americans as amateurs at war, but as amateurs who have a surprising knowledge about fighting and who know nothing about giving up.

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