Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-12-13
PERSH|NC TELLS
STORY OF WAR
Commander in Detailed Report
Relates How the U. S.
Men Won.
SETS MARCH q AS CRISIS
Views American Operations Prior to
That Date as Part of Their Train
ing - Pays Supreme Tribute
to Officers and Men.

Washington, Dec. 5.-Gen. John j.
Pershings account of his stewardship
as commander of the American expe-
dhionary forces was given to the pub
lie Wednesday by Secretary Baker.
1t is in the form of preliminary re-
port to the secretary, covering opera
tons up to November 20, after the
German collapse. 1t closes with these
words from the leader of the great
army in France, expressing his feeling
for those who served under him:
81 pay the supreme tribute to our
officers and soldiers of the line. When
think of their heroism, their patience
under hardships, their unflinching spir-
it Of offensive action, 1 am filled with
emotion which am unable to express.
Their deeds are immortal and they
have earned the eternal gratitude of
our country"
The report begins with General
Pershing's departure for France to
pave the way for the army that was to
smash German resistance on the
Meuse and give vital aid to the allies
in forcing Germany to it's knees 10
months later.
Crisis on March Fl.
General Pershing views the encoun-
ters before March 81 of this year, in
which American troops participated as
ia part of their training, and dismisses
them briefly. On that date, however.
the great German offensive was
launched and crucial situation quick
,ly developed in the allied lines which
called for prompt use Of the four
American divisions that were at the
time equal to any demands of battle
action"
"Tka crisis which this offensive de-
velored was such," General Pershing
says, that on March 2S 1 placed at
the disposal of Marshal Foch, who had
been agreed upon as commander in
chief of the allied armies, all of our
forces. At his request the First divi-
sion was transferred from the Toul
sector to position in reserve at Chau-
mont en- Vexin.
"As German superiority in numbers
required prompt action, an agreement
was reached at the Abbeville confer
ence of the allied premiers and COM
| manders and myself on May 2 by
which British shipping was to trans
| port ten American divisions to the
British army area, where they were to
be trained and equipped, and addition
al British shipping was to be provided
for as many divisions as possible for
use elsewhere.
/; Men Eager for Test.
/ "On April &c the First division had
| gone into the line in the Montdidier
salient, on the Picardy battle front
Tactics had been suddenly revolution
ized to those of open warfare, and oul
men, confident of the results of Their
training, We're eager for the test. Or
the morning of May % this division
attacked the commanding German po
sition in its front. taking with splendid
dash the town of Cantigny and al
other objectives. which were organized
and held steadfastly against viciou:
counter-attacks and CALLING artillery
fire.
Although local, this brilliant actor
had an electrical effect, as it demon
strated our fighting qualities undel
extreme battle conditions and also tha
the enemy's troops were not altogether
invincible"
Hold Foe at Chateau Thierry.
There followed Immediately the Ger
man thrust across the Aisne river tc
ward Paris. He continues:
"The Third division, which had jus
come from its preliminary training il
the trenches, was hurried to tn
Marne. It's motorized machine-gu
battalion preceded the other units an
successfully held the bridgehead Q
the Marne, opposite Chateau Their,
"The Second division, in reserv
near Montdidier, was sent by motor
trucks and other available transpoi
to check the progress of the enem
toward Paris. The division attacke
and retook the town and railroad sta
tipn at Bouresches and sturdily hel
its ground against the enemy's bes
guard divisions.
"In the battle of Belleau wood, whic
followed, our men proved their 81
periority and gained a strong tactici
position, with far greater loss to tn
enemy than to ourselves. On July
before the Second was relieved, it caI
tured the village of Vaux with spler
did precision.
Stand Between Paris and Foe.
Meanwhile our Second corps, unde