WAR SECRETS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 269, 3 February 1928, Page 7

WAR SECRETS

AMERICA’S FIRST FIGHT A well-kept secret of the war—how American infantry went into action with British troops against orders—was disclosed by Earl Haig at a luncheon in honour of the American Legion at the Hotel Cecil recently. “It was a memorable Independence Day—July 4, 1918,” —said Earl Haig. “One American unit went into a not inconsiderable battle without orders. I believe it was the first time in recorded history that British and American troops fought side by side in a battle of any size. ‘The incident was the cause of not a little alarm and. anxiety among everyone connected* with it except the troops themselves. “I have vivid memories of the keenness to fight on the part of the rank and file.” Earl Haig afterwards told a representative of “The Daily Chronicle” that the unit was the 132nd Infantry of the 33rd Division of the American Army. “They were fighting with the Australians in the Hamel sector near Amiens,” he said. ‘The question about their orders did not arise until they were in the front line, and American headquarters told me over the phone that they were not to go into action. I explained the position and hung up the receiver. What else could one do? “They gave me a sleepless night, but they went into action and fought with great bravery.” Standing by Earl Haig was General Abel Davis, of the United States Army, who said he would “sure let the Chicago boys know what the FieldMarshal had said.” “I was in command of them,” he said. “They were mostly from Chicago, and I was colonel of the regiment at the time. “We were ordered by an immediate superior to occupy the front line of trenches, and we had preliminary or-

ders for an attack on Hamel on the morning of July 4. Meanwhile somebody at British headquarters discovered the authority for our co-operation had not bee given by American headquarters, and that we should have to withdraw. “A whisper reached the men themselves, a.nd before I had time to answer a message came from officers and men saying that if they were withdrawn at the last moment it might be thought they could not do their share. Before I could decide the men were actually in the trenches. “Field-Marshal Haig was disturbed because he had not the necessary authority from the American Higher Command. I understand that there were some warm words between the two. which ended with Haig hanging up the receiver and saying, ‘lf that’s the spl-it of the men, it is better they should go on with it.’ “So the whole 500 went over the top. It was their baptism of fire. Fifteen were killed and between 70 and 80 wounded. “Field-Marshal Haig and General Monash both issued orders next day saying it was a memorable July 4, and when King George came to Franc#* about a month later, he decorated 12 officers and men of the regiment.” Earl Haig’s “official” the next day reported the capture of Hamel and merely added that Australian troops were “assisted by some detachments of American infantry.” All the war correspondents, however, made a point of the American’s “excessive keenness,” which was carried to such a degree that they suffered casualties through advancing into the British barrage.