AMERICANS JOIN BRITISH.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1918, Page 3

AMERICANS JOIN BRITISH.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. Troops of the new American army have arrived in Northern France and low —May IS—are completing their training in the area occupied by the troops which are blocking the path of the Germans to the Channel ports- Their commander has already commanded American forces in trenches on the French front, says the special correspondent o fthe New York Ilerald. 'l'he British officers and men who are training the new force say the Americans are of the finest material and are certain to give a most excellent account of themselves when they meet the Germans. The British troops greeted the Americans not only as comrades in arms, but as warm friends, and the work of instruction is beir.{ continued in that spirit. The American force on arriving within the British zone were cheered to the skies by the sons of Britain, many of whom bore unmistakable signs of battle. They had not seen the Americans before, but they knew they were coming. The Americans on the other hand gained all the moro enthusiasm by the heartiness of the greeting which they received from their battle-scarred comrades in arms. The last stages of their training before entering the line were begun almost as soon as they reached their destination. From that point they could hear the rumble of the not-distant guns. Soldiers from General .Pershing's army have been in line with the French and Witish in front of armies for some time, but the decision to send additional forces from America direct to the British Army was made after the great German drive launched on March 21 was well under way. Less than two months has been required to get the first of these troops across the sea and into position. Unless a great emergency arises when, the German assault is renewed, it is not regarded as probable that the American battalions will be employed on the front line for some time. The immediate result of greatest importance probably is that tho battalions of Briish troops displaced in these divisions by the Americans will be available to fill up other Bntlsli divisions to full strength, or lor the organisation of new British divisions, as General Haig deems best. To that extent, tho Aniericans now are acting as reinforcement? for the British lines. It is anticipated that a limited amount of additional training under existing conditions will round them into shape for any work that may be assigned to them later. If the course of the German offensive permits the same practice followed in (raining General Pershing's original forcan probably will be carried out in Flanders In that ease, the divisions with which American units have beetv brigaded will receive front-line duly in quiet, sectors for a time, until Americans are seasoned to trench warfare. Thereafter, the divisions undoubtedly will be used wherever the course of battle takes tiiem. The Aniericans are a part of tho British Army until it shall seem wiser to withdraw them for service directly under General Pershing.