CHAPTER V
A RAID
South of the city of Ypres itself and less than six miles east flows theriver Orcuq. The crossing of the river and the capture of the town ofDun by the American troops will rank as one of the most gallant feats ofthe operations in the Ypres sector.
In this action Hal and Chester played important roles. The troops whichaccomplished this work may well rank as heroes, for their work incrossing the stream was a strategic move of unusual daring.
The crossing involved the forcing of a way over a 160-foot stream, ahalf-mile stretch of mud and a 60-foot canal in the face of a frightfulenemy fire.
The Germans held the east side of the river, hastily dug trenches lessthan 100 yards from the shore making a crossing by the Allies aseemingly impossible task.
The order to cross the river came at mid-afternoon, two days after theGerman offensive at Ypres had been definitely checked. Hal and Chestercarried the order themselves. It was signed by General Pershing, who wasat the front at that moment, and was directed to Major General Lawrence,in command of the --st division.
The troops received their instructions under a sun which was shining forthe first time in days. The men knew almost as well as their commandersthe difficulty of the task and realized how well-nigh impossible itsaccomplishment would be. Yet they never doubted or hesitated.
The orders were to send over one brigade first--and if it failed, tosend another--and others, one after the other--if it became necessary.It was with the dash that is traditional in the American army that theYankee troops tackled the problem. Theoretically they had the choice ofcrossing anywhere for five miles. Actually they were limited to onepoint, where two-thirds of a mile of mud lay between the river itselfand the canal that roughly parallels the river.
The Germans were too firmly intrenched at all other points. They had notprotected themselves with trenches here because they never dreamed theAmericans would be so daring as to try to force the passage. This was ashort distance north of Velliers.
First came the call for swimmers from the first brigade. Not a man whocould swim a stroke failed to stand out when the call came. Those whomtheir officers thought fit were put in the van.
With these went Hal and Chester.
It was intended to attack in this way on the theory that the swimmerswere less likely to be hit by the Germans, owing to the fact that theywould be nearly submerged. On the other hand, they would carry with themropes and other paraphernalia for assisting men across who were unableto swim.
A perfect rain of fire from the Germans met these first Americans, as,under command of Captain Donaldson, Hal and Chester, they waded into thestream. The enemy had ensconced himself up the east bank with carefullyselected machine gun positions, which raked every point of the bankwhere efforts to land could be enfiladed or met with direct fire.
Some men were killed in the water. More were drowned after having beenwounded, for no unwounded man dared stop to rescue a comrade if themaneuver were to be successful.
Captain Donaldson made no effort to keep his men in formation as theyswam rapidly across the river. There would be time enough for formationwhen they were safely ashore. Each man, when he waded into the water,struck out for himself, his chief aim being to reach the opposite shoreas quickly as possible.
No bullet touched Hal or Chester as they swam at the head of their men.Bullets kicked up the water all about them, but both lads seemed to bearcharmed lives.
Suddenly a German bullet pierced the forehead of Captain Donaldson, andthe brave officer threw up his hands and sank without a word. Instantly,realizing that there must be a single head to the party, Hal assumedcommand.
"Faster, men!" he called. "We're almost there!"
The troops exerted themselves to further efforts. Men sank every moment,hit by the enemy fire, but the others swam on apparently utterlyoblivious to the danger that faced them.
Notwithstanding their losses and the fact that the swimmers could notfight back, nor even defend themselves, the bulk of the first expeditionreached the east bank of the river with lines that were drawn tautacross the stream. Others floated on rafts and collapsible boats. Thesemen had less success than the swimmers, for they were better targets forthe enemy's fire, and the boats could be easily sunk by bullets even ifthe occupants were not hit.
Close to where the swimmers had crossed, engineers, who had been drawnacross, now began to throw over pontoon bridges and a tiny foot bridge.The pontoons crumbled under the German fire, but the foot bridgeremained intact and added materially to the constantly increasing numberof men on the east bank. Soon after dark the first brigade was acrossthe first barrier and more men were ready to make the journey.
After the swimmers headed by Hal and Chester had crossed the river, theywaited eagerly until their comrades arrived with rifles, ammunition andside arms. Then they moved forward to the second phase of the perilousundertaking. This was the crossing of the kilometer of mud stretchingbetween the river and the canal beyond, which, though it was under enemyfire, was not held by infantry. The Americans stumbled across the mudunder a withering fire, firing as they advanced. From the rear theAmerican lines were being constantly increased, so that now instead ofthe handful of men who had forced the crossing, there were enoughAmerican troops to offer a formidable fighting front.
Their feet sank into the mud as they advanced and soon the pace of themen was slowed down to a laborious walk. But there was no hesitancy inthe ranks--no faltering. The men were too anxious to come to closequarters with the foe for that. The German guns played terrible havocwith the Yankees, but the rest pushed through.
Now came the third phase of the advance. This constituted the crossingof the canal, with its sheer sides and the Germans almost at the top ofthe eastern bank.
Here again the party, led by Hal and Chester, threw aside their arms andplunged into the water.
"Forward men!" cried Chester, as he plunged into the canal.
The men took up the cry with cheers, and swam rapidly after him.
Hal kept close to Chester's side. Soon they reached the opposite shore,where lines were again drawn taut and other men were pulled across onrafts and in boats.
Once more the engineers got busy and almost as if by magic, bridgesappeared.
Troops crossed them at the double. The bridges stood the enemy firebravely and troops hurried across by hundreds.
Soaking wet, and with water dripping from every garment, immediately heset foot ashore and weapons were thrust in his hands by eager menbehind, Hal, thinking to cover the landing of those still to come,ordered an advance.
Nothing loath, the first mere handful of men went forward at the double.
In vain the Germans, in their hastily entrenched positions, tried tostop them with rifle and machine-gun fire. The Americans were not to bestopped. They had undergone too strenuous a time getting across to behalted now.
Right for the German trenches they dashed and the enemy, his moralebroken by the Yankee spirit, offered only a half-hearted resistance.
In vain the German officers tried to make their men fight. Blows fromthe flat of their swords and Teutonic imprecations failed to bring orderout of chaos as the men from Yankeeland advanced with wild shouts andcries.
Into the trenches leaped the Americans, cutting down what few of theenemy offered resistance there. Apparently the Germans were toobewildered to fight with any idea of cohesion. Hundreds surrendered.Others dropped their weapons and fled.
From the west side of the canal and river fresh American troops advancedto the support of their comrades. General Lawrence himself crossed withthem.
Despite the darkness, an advance was ordered and the American troopsmoved toward the village of Dun.
This little village, though exceedingly small before the war, was now animportant railway center, and, realizing the results that could beattained if he followed up his initial success, General Lawrencedetermined to give the
enemy no rest.
From the distance German artillery now had taken up the battle andshells dropped frequently in the newly-won American positions.Nevertheless, the Yankee troops reformed coolly enough and stoodpatiently under fire until the order at last came to advance.
Hal and Chester, now that their part of the task had been carried outsuccessfully, personally reported to General Lawrence the death ofCaptain Donaldson, who had been in command of the first crossing party.
"It's a pity," General Lawrence took time to say. "He was a good officerand a brave man. I wish both of you young men would stay by me," headded. "I watched you as you crossed and know that your courage cannotbe questioned. Also, I have noticed your service stripes. My officersare few now, and I may have need of you."
Hal and Chester clicked their heels, saluted and stood at attention.
General Lawrence gave his commands clearly and quickly.
The First and Second brigades were to move upon Dun, from the west,while the Third and Fourth, making a slight detour, were to attack fromthe north. General Lawrence aimed to launch his attack from both placessimultaneously, and for this reason the Third and Fourth brigades movedan hour before the First and Second.
"Lieutenant Paine!" said General Lawrence.
Hal approached and saluted.
"My compliments to Colonel Adams and order him to move immediately withthe Third and Fourth brigades. He will attack the village from the northan hour after daylight."
Hal saluted again and hurried away.
"Lieutenant Crawford!"
Chester approached and saluted.
"My compliments to Colonel Gregory and order him to attack from thefront an hour after daylight. Inform him that Colonel Adams will attackfrom the north simultaneously."
Chester saluted and followed Hal from the general's presence.
In the heart of each lad was a great impatience, for each longed for theaction to commence. Nevertheless, outwardly, both were perfectly cool;for they had learned long ago and by hard experience that in the heat ofbattle the things that stood them in best stead were strong arms andcool heads.