Omaha daily bee., 1918-12-05
Showing Of Americans Led
FoCh to Strike After Drive
on Paris Had Been
Stopped,

-
on Paris Had Been
Stopped;
Washington, Dec. 4. - General
John J. Pershing's account of his
stewardship as commander of the
American Expeditionary forces was
given to the public today by Secre-
tary Baker. 1t is in the form of q
preliminary report to the secretary
covering operations up to Novem-
Der 20 after the German collapse. II
closes with these words from the
leader of the great army in France,
expressing his feeling for those who
served Under him:
Il pay the supreme tribute to our
officers and soldiers of the line.
When | think of their heroism,
their patience under hardships, their
unhinching spirit, of offensive &C
ton, | am filled with emotion which
| am unable to express. Their deeds
are immortal, and they have earned
the eternal gratitude of our coun-
try"
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
Mouse and give vital aid to the al
lies in forcing Germany to its knees
10 months later. Its striking fea-
ture is the section devoted to com
bat operations" where it told the
story of fighting by the man who
directed it.
First Crisis Described.
General Pershing views the en-
counters before March II of this
year in which American troops par
ticipated as part of their training
and dismisses them briefly. On
that date, however, the great Ger
man offensive was launched and a
crucial situation quickly developed
in the allied lines which called for
prompt use of the four American
divisions that were at that time
equal to any demands of battle &C
ton"
The first crisis of the German
drive had been reached in Picardy.
"The crisis which this offensive
developed was SUCH" General PERISH
ing says, " that our occupation of
an American sector must be post
poned. On March % l placed at
the disposal of Marshal Foch, who
had been agreed upon as command
er in chief of the allied armies, all of
our forces to be used as he might
decide. AT his request the First di-
vision was transferred from the
Toul sector to a position in reserve
at Chaumont en- Vexin. As German
superiority in numbers required
prompt action, an agreement was
reached at the Abbeville conference
of the allied premiers and COM
manders and myself on May 2 by
which British shipping was to
transport 10 American divisions to
the British army area, where they
were to be trained and equipped,
and additional British shipping was
to be provided for as many divisions
as possible for use elsewhere.
Cantigny First Gained.
"On April 26 the First division
had gone into the line in the Mont
didier salient on the Picardy battle
front. Tactics had been suddenly
revolutionized to those of open
warfare, and our men, confident of
the results of their training. were
eagersfor the test. On the morning
of May % this division attacked the
commanding German position in its
front, taking with splendid dash the
town of Cantigny and all other OBJ
jectives, which were organized and
held steadfastly against vicious
counter-attacks and CALLING artillery
fire. Although lo,al, this brilliant
action had an electrical effect, as it
demonstrated our fighting qualities
under extreme battle conditions,
and also that the enemy's troops
were not altogether invincible."
There followed Immediately the
German thrust across the Aisne to-
ward Paris,
"The allies" General Pershing
says, faced a crisis equally as grave
as that of the Picardy offensive in
March. Again every. available man
was placed at Marshal Foch's dis
posal, and the Third division,
which had just come from its pre-
liminary training in the trenches,
was hurried to the Marine. It's mo-
torized machine-gun battalion pre-
ceded the other units and success
fully held the bridgehead at the
Marine, opposite Chateau-Thierry
The Second division, in reserve near
Mortdidier, was sent by motor
trucks and other available transport
to check the progress of the enemy
toward Paris. The division attacked
and retook the town and railroad
station at Bouresches and sturdily
held its ground against the enemy's
best guard divisions.
"In the battle of Belleau wood,
which followed, our men proved