April 4, 1918 - Don Martin tells story of German prisoners, and reports Croix de Guerre for four Americans
Don
Martin diary entry for Thursday, April 4, 1918:
Spent a very dull, rainy day in Neufchateau. Interest of all
correspondents now centered on the First Division which is soon to leave for
the Arras section to get in the big fight. Wrote some letters and hung around
the club. Would write some mail stuff but my room is too cold and the light too
poor.
Am waiting to hear from [Commodore] Bennett before
making a fight to be one of the few who will go with the 1st
Division.
Had a slight touch of indigestion during the
night but am all right now.
Weather miserable.
Don
Martin wrote and cabled a dispatch dated Thursday, April 4, about his encounters
on April 3 with German prisoners. It was published in the New York Herald on
Friday, April 5, 1918. Notable is his use of the first person, "I", telling a story, giving his writing a more personal touch, which resonated with his readers.
CAPTIVE GERMANS LOSE
HOPE AS THEY SEE AMERICAN TROOPS
Prisoners Realize Might of United States Soon Will Be
Felt
WATCH MARCHING MEN FOR HOURS
“You Must Hurry or It Will Be Too Late,” One Tells
Don Martin
By DON MARTIN
[Special Cable
to the Herald]
AMERICAN FRONT IN FRANCE, Thursday
Gloom has replace hope in a Boche prison
camp near the section of the front held by the American troops. A hundred
captive Germans stood recently against the barbed wire fence and for hours
watched the passing of a steady stream of Americans. At first there was great
excitement among the prisoners, then there was perturbation. The Boches for the
first time actually realized that America’s troops were ready to fight. They
always had sneezed when told that the Americans soon would be fighting the
allies.
I went to the prison camp today and talked
to several of the captives.
“The Germans laughed when told that you
would come into the war,” a keeper said. “They asserted the German-Americans
would prevent a declaration of war. Then when they learned that you really had
decided to come in they sneeringly said that America never would be able to do
anything because the submarines would sink all your troop ships.
“A few days ago when the Americans marched
by for hours and hours the prisoners were more downcast than at any time since
they became prisoners. The talk among them was less concerning the big battle
then raging and concerning the war already being won than that Germany would
lose unless her people stand the hardships until the submarines finally have
won.”
I saw one young German private who spoke
perfect English. He said he was a business man, having relations with Marshall
Field and Stern Brothers, in America. I asked him who would win the war and he
replied, “I’m a German.”
I asked him if the Germans realize that
the Americans are ready to send millions of men to fight in Europe. “They must
do it quickly or it will be too late," he answered.
As we talked a long line of American
artillery passed twenty rods away. “That’s nothing,” he said.
The prisoners are in splendid condition
and have plenty to eat, even of sugar. The mess is prepared by a professional
cook, formerly of the Carlton Hotel in London. When he cooks for the captain he
has to eat his own food first as an assurance that it is not poisoned.
General Pershing’s automobile recently
killed a growing pig, the most valuable possession of a poor, aged woman. The
woman wept, as the pig meant so much to her. She knew the car contained an
American general, but she was told not to make a claim, as the pig was to
blame.
General Pershing later instituted an
inquiry and learned the situation. How much the pig meant to the destitute
woman was shown when her tears of grief changed to joy when a letter arrived containing
a cheque for $20, with kind words besides.
The New York Herald began to print the following
notice at this time.
Don Martin is cabling
fine despatches to the HERALD daily from the American front in France. Read
them to-day—and every day.
Don Martin cabled another dispatch on April 4,reporting the receipt by American soldiers of the French Croix de Guerre. It was published in the New York Herald on Friday, April 5,
1918.
FRENCH CROSS FOR FOUR
HEROES
Reward 2 Officers and 2 Privates for Rescuing Wounded
in Wrecked House
SAVE SUPPLIES WORTH MILLION FROM HUNS
Volunteers Also Risk Lives to Prevent Destruction of
Doughnuts on Way to Front
By DON MARTIN
[Special Cable
to the Herald]
AMERICAN FRONT IN FRANCE, Thursday
In recognition of their bravery under fire
the Croix de Guerre has been granted to these four Americans:--
Major
HAROLD B. ESTEY
Lieutenant
RALPH HOPKINS
Private
JOSEPH JOHNSON
Private DODGE
These men all took part in a recent big
battle, Johnson being Major Estey’s chauffeur. They rescued French wounded from
under a house which had been destroyed by shell fire and then drove with the
wounded through a shell swept zone and in the midst of the bombardment oversaw
the removal of probably a million dollars worth of supplies. When the house
collapsed under fire and shells were falling all around, Major Estey with
others pulled the debris away and got the French soldiers out, saving some lives.
Earlier, with great danger on all sides,
Major Estey directed a large force of Americans which loaded valuable supplies
upon trucks which moved out of the region not long before the Germans entered.
A French officer who saw part of the work
of the Americans gave the cross to Major Estey and notified him that three
others were to be given to those with him.
After two days’ shelling, day and night,
the Germans ruined a Salvation Army truck, but its precious cargo of doughnuts
successfully was removed by volunteers.
That the Salvation Army might not be
hampered by the loss of its truck, the engineering corps sent word it would
transport to the trenches doughnuts and such other dainties as the
Salvationists may wish to send. The Red Cross, seeing the HERALD’s story, also
came to the Salvationists’ aid and offered trucks, and then the Quartermaster’s
Department added its assistance so that the soldiers’ supply of doughnuts be
not cut off.
“Trench life without doughnuts is hardly
worth while,” said a Texas lad. “Give us doughnuts hot and strong and we will
stay in the front line permanently.”
(National Archives photo no. 111-SC-10443, Ansouville, April 8, 1918) |
(National Archives photo no. 111-SC-10442, Ansouville, April 8, 1918) |
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