Tommies, Yariks Good Companions Under Fire

Northern Advocate, 18 December 1942, Page 3

Tommies, Yariks Good Companions Under Fire

(Received 2 p.m.)

NEW YORK, December 17

Amid the fire of German mortars and screaming dive-bombers on the Tunisian front, British and American soldiers are learning to like and respect one another, says the “New York Times” correspondent (Drew Middleton). Differences in environment, pay and education are forgotten while they stand shoulder to shoulder. AngloAmerican co-operation is more than a catch phrase. Crouching in a slit trench an American soldier said: “The British are O.K. Our bunch has been fighting and living with them for three weeks. They will give you anything they have, take anything Fritz hands out and keep right on punching.” The Americans admire the coolness of the British troops under fire, while the British profanely praise the Americans' dash in attack.

A British lance-corporal declared: “The Yanks always have a cigarette and wisecrack even in the middle of dive-bombing. They are getting used to the real stuff quickly. When they attack they make even the Australians look sedate. They go in yelling and come out smiling.”