September 22, 1918: Don Martin reports activity resuming on American front

Don Martin diary entry for Sunday, September 22, 1918: 

Went to Menil la Tour with [Edwin] James [New York Times], also to Seizerais. Wrote short cable. Little going on on our front. [Ray] Carroll [Philadelphia Pubic Ledger] has sent cable to his paper saying that most of the correspondents are of draft age. Had dinner at Angleterre with the widow who is a very fine woman with homes in many places. No raid alert.

        Don Martin reported on September 22 to Paris that action was starting up again on his front. It was published in the Paris Herald on Monday, September 23.  

FOE PLACES GUNS AND 

STIFFENS LINE TO RESIST YANKS

American Back Areas Heavily Shelled—

Enemy Evidently Means To Fight Stubbornly

(Special Telegram to the Herald)

By Don Martin

With The American Armies, Sunday

            There has been considerable activity in a small way on the American front in the vicinity of Haumont. Three raids in force were made by the Americans, who netted in all thirty-one prisoners. Two of the raids were near Haumont; the other one was  near Charey. Forty wounded Germans were counted. The prisoners belonged to a Jaeger regiment.

            For the last twenty-four hours the Germans have been pouring a harassing fire of shrapnel and high explosives upon the American back areas and bombing the roads and ravines at night. Apparently they have recovered their breath after the hurried withdrawal from the Saint-Mihiel salient and now they have their guns placed they intend to fight fiercely every foot of terrain. There are indications that they have new strong troops in line.

            We made a raid at one point last night and took six prisoners. Patrols killed one German who was found to be a member of a new German unit.

            It will interest the Germans to know that within twelve hours after they had abandoned the territory American engineers connected our narrow gauge railways with the Germans; thus giving the Americans a splendid railway system through out the entire salient.

            I have just heard of the remarkable case of a young American, who is applying for a place outside the lines, as he says he stammers too much to make a good soldier. He says that he was recently held up by a sentry, who asked for the password. He tried to give it, but was so slow in his speech that the sentry shot at him, but fortunately missed him. By that time the stammering private had recovered this speech and explained matters.

        Great story reported about airman  Lt. Frank Luke, dated September 22 and published in the Paris Herald on Monday, September 23.  

Lieut. F. Luke, New Ace, 

Has Got Six Since Sept. 2

(Special Telegram to the Herald)

By Don Martin

With The American Armies, Sunday.

               Although there is no verification yet for some of his victories, it is believed that Lieutenant Frank Luke, of Phoenix, Ariz., is the latest American “ace.” Six times since September 2 he has brought down either a plane or a balloon in flames, and altogether he has brought down eleven or twelve “sausages” and three or four planes.  He is one of the most daring of our aviators. He attacks balloons while they are close to the ground, and also shoots them in their beds, that is, while they are on the ground.

              Recently he came back saying he had shot down two balloons. Some of his companions were skeptical, so Luke said: “Well, come and see. We’ll get some more.” He and a companion flew toward the German line. It was twilight. Three German balloons were in sight, but they all started down as the Americans approached. Luke, with the coolest nerve, swooped past the three and sent two to the ground and then returned to the aerodrome. His companion simply remarked: “He’s no dreamer this boy; he gets them,”

            Lieutenant Eddie Rickenbacker is believed to be second with eight official victories, and Lieutenant Edgar Y. Tobin, of San Antonio, Tex., is thought to be next with seven.

            The work of American observation squadrons is winning praise from everyone. They have recently flown over Metz at low altitudes, getting splendid pictures despite the savagery of the German anti-aircraft attacks. Our fliers show a fine spirit of sportsmanship and bravery, when a dangerous task is to be done; they volunteer, frequently flying without escorts.