BAPTISM OF FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19762, 8 October 1927, Page 12

BAPTISM OF FIRE.

AMERICANS AT THE WAR. IN ACTION AGAINST ORDERS. EARL HAIG REVEALS SECRET. t*y■ Telegraph—Press Aosociatior.—Copyright. (Received October 7, 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON, Oct. 7. A well-kept secret of the Great War •was disclosed by Earl Haig in a speech at a function tendered to the members of the American Legion who are visiting England. Earl Haig said on July 4, 1918, which was Independence Day, an American unit ■went into battle without orders. #They fought alongside the Australians in the Harnel sector. Interviewed later, Earl Haig said the Americans, mostly men from Chicago, under General Abel Davis, were ordered to occupy the front line trenches. Later - it was discovered that the American headquarters had not been consulted, and when they became aware of the proposal they ordered the men not to go into action. The British headquarters therefore ordered the withdrawal of the unit. When the Americans, who were already in the front trenches, heard the decision they said they would not be doing their share if they withdrew. Before they could be stopped they went over the top for their baptism of fire, suffering 15 killed and 75 wounded. Reporting the capture of Hamel later, Earl Haig merely added; "Some detachments of Americans assisted the Australians." ; LINKS FORGED BY WAR. BRITAIN AND UNITED STATES. MAINTAINING WORLD PEACE. (British Official Wireless.) A. and N.Z. RUGBY, Oct 6 Nearly 300 members of the American Legion, who are visiting Europe, reached London to-day after crossing from Antwerp and were given an official reception Included in the party are delegates - from 48 States and 80 members of the •women's auxiliary They paraded on Victoria Embankment, and headed by the c Scots Guards Band, marched to the cenotaph, where wreaths were laid and a short address was given by Commander Savage, head of the American Legion. The Prince of Walej presided at a luncheon at the Hotel Cecil given to the visitors by the British Legion and the British Empire Service League. His Royal Highness, who was enthusiastically, received, proposed the toasts ot the King and tho President of the Dnited States The Prince of Wales said: "We of the British Legion have not forgotten, and never will forget, the links which those - hard days of the war forged between you, our brothers of the United States of America Legion, and ourselves. I'f is the duty of the two great English-speaking nations of the world to see to it that those ~ links do not become .mere sentimental associations; to see to it that they remain and continue always as strong and practical ties to unite us in the big task of * maintaining peace in the world. Con- ~ tinned peace is absolutely necessary for the very existence ef the world." 5 "All of us legionaries," concluded the -' Prince, " have in our wartime friendship a wonderful heritage. If we use it in the T right way we should, in years of peace, ■f, be able to repair a lot of the havoc which 6 the war wrought to many of us."