June 1, 1918 - Don Martin tells stories from the front

Don Martin diary entry for Saturday, June 1, 1918: 

Started with [Edwin] James [New York Times] and Lieutenant Wilson for the Château-Thierry section. Went by way of Ligny, Vitry, Sezanne and Montmarail. Rode about 180 miles. Passed miles and miles of soldiers, both American and French on their way to the front to resist the onward push of the Germans. Saw the third division in line. Slept at Montmarail.

          Don Martin began to collect and tell stories of individuals on the front lines, including German prisoners and an American "Ace". These, probably written after midnight on June 1 and cabled before his lengthy tour that day, were published in the New York Herald on Sunday, June 2, 1918.

GERMANS NOW EAGER TO LEARN ALL ABOUT AMERICAN TROOPS IN FRANCE, HAVE ORDERS TO TAKE PRISONERS

Hun Deserter to the Pershing Line 
Brings Interesting Information

MORALE IS GOOD, BUT MEN NOT SO STURDY

Douglas Campbell, American Ace, 
Defeats Hun Flyer in Full View of Lines

By DON MARTIN

[Special cable to the Herald]

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE, Saturday

             From a German who deserted to the American lines interesting information has been gathered. The German army now has three meatless days a week. This has caused dissatisfaction, but is accepted as necessary. The soldiers manage to spread their allowance so as to get some each day of the week but one.

           The new troops show great eagerness to learn the movements of the Americans. The recent raid, with a result so costly to the Germans in the Luneville sector, was undertaken on orders to get American prisoners at any cost. They got none.

           The prisoner who deserted says the morale of the Germans is good, but the sturdiness of the troops is below their former standard.

Tried Twice to Desert

           The story of the prisoner’s entry into the American lines is remarkable. He left once to cross “No Man’s Land,“ but got lost in the mist and wandered back to his own lines. Next time, just before dawn, he crossed “No Man’s Land” and came on an American officer and five soldiers. He saw them first through the mist. Then the Americans saw him and watched.

           There was a smile on the face of the prisoner, who spoke English and said, “Good morning.” The Americans gave him a cigarette and talked. The prisoner was a merchant in peace times, but was forced into service. He was friendly to America from the start. He says a good many would desert if they got a good chance. It was more dangerous to desert than to fight.

           A first line American soldier got lost in “No Man’s Land” and wandered in the midst of the German lines, but returned safely, throwing a grenade at a sentry on his way back.

Campbell Downs Hun Flyer

           America now has an All-American ace. He is Douglass Campbell, of California. In a thrilling battle yesterday in a biplane at a height of 4,000 metres he brought down a German who landed inside our lines. The observer had an Albatross protector after a German biplane observing our lines. Campbell chose the biplane which was armed and his companion picked the monoplane escort.

           The fight between Campbell and the biplane was in full view of the men in our line. Campbell somersaulted, flew upside down, then rose a thousand metres and plunged within a hundred yards of the enemy. The German sought to escape, but Campbell maneuvered and forced the Boche over our line, then flew behind him and riddled his machine with bullets. Afterward Campbell flew back to the hangar and received the congratulations of other flyers, who tipped their hats to Campbell. He is modest and is the pride of the whole flying outfit.

           There are two other American aces, also Captain Peterson, but they flew with the French and trained here. Campbell got his full training in America. Campbell now has five machines officially to his credit, making him an ace. Really he has brought down six.

Lt. Douglas Campbell 
National Archives photo No. 11-SC-11308