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Archiver > GREATWAR > 2001-07 > 0994319558


From: "Pat & Katrina Lawson" <>
Subject: [WW1] Newspaper clipping, 19 Sep 1918
Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2001 16:52:38 +0900


>From the "Boston Traveler" 19 Sept 1918, p. 10 (please excuse any typos)

"Why Our Men Get Shot in the Legs"

One of the things noticed by the Rev. d. D. Hoagland of Hyde Park, who has
returned from seven months' service as a Y.M.C.A. secretary close to the
front, is that the American soldiers got shot in the legs, instead of in the
head or trunk.

"Why do all you fellows get shot in the legs?" he asked.

"You see, sir, " the men replied, "the Germans think we'll crawl forward on
our hands and knees, and they think by shooting close to the ground they'll
hit us in the heads. We go after 'em standing up, and that's why we get hit
in the legs."

As Mr. Hoagland told the Pilgrim Publicity Association men, that is the way
the American soldiers love to fight - on their feet.

He also said in the recent drive a big gun that was to send shells ahead of
the troops was moved into three different positions without firing once,
simply because the troops drove the Germans before them with record speed.

Every father and mother with sons in France would love to hear what Mr.
Hoagland says about the conduct of the men. "For they are men," he says.
"Even the youngsters who were boys when they sailed are men now. The war
makes them grow up."

He also said the men are not concerned with world problems; with business
after the war; with treaties; with any of the countless things that concern
us at home.

They are interested in one thing -- they think, drink, eat and sleep with
one problem, that of beating the boche. They concern themselves with
nothing else. Nothing is important except that.

They are kept in almost perfect physical trim. Sickness is almost unknown.
The men who were weak while at their peace work here are strong and healthy
as soldiers over there.

Even the wounded refuse to return to the rear when there is a chance for
them to fight. One man, whose left arm was rendered useless, and who had
been told to sit beside the road and wait for the ambulance, rushed into the
fight with his automatic and pumped bullets as fast as he could into the
fleeing Huns.

What chance has Germany against men who fight with that spirit?

Our job here at home is to give those men the backing they need. What
sacrifices we may be called upon to make are insignificant compared with
those being made daily by the soldiers -- made gladly and eagerly simply
because they realize the importance to the world of cleaning out the
Prussian poisoners and making the world a safe place for human beings.

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