The Raymer enterprise., 1918-12-12
PERSA|NC TELLS
STORY OF war
Commander in Detailed Report
Relates How the y. S.
Men Won.
SETS MARCH Il As CRISIS
Views American Operations Prior to
That Date - Part Of Their Train.
Ing - Pays Supreme Tribute
TO oeieers and Men.


Washington. Dec. 5.-Gen. John ].
Pershing's account Of his stewardship
as commander Of the American expe-
ditionary forces was given to the pub
lie Wednesday by Secretary Baker.
II Is In the form Of a preliminary re.
port to the secretary. covering opera
tions 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 serted under him:
Il pay the supreme tribute to our
officers and soldiers of the line. Wien
think Of their heroism. their patience
under hardships, their unfiinchlng spir.
It Of offensive action, 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 wsy for the army that was to
smash Gs~man resistance on the
Meuse and give vital aid to the allies
in forcing Germany to its knees 19
months later.
Crisis on March 21.
General Pershlng views the encoun-
ters before March q of this year. in
which American troops participated as
a part of their training. and dismlsses
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"
"The crisis which this offensive de.
veloped was such." General Pershlng
says, "that on March % l 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 dlvi.
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 Abbeyille confer
ence Of the allied premiers and CON-
manders and myself on May 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 26 the First division had
gone into the line In the Montddler
salient, on the Ficardy battle front.
Tactics had been suddenly revolution
lied to those Of open warfare, and our
men, confident of the results OF their
training. were eager for the test. On
the morning Of May 2s this division
attacked the commanding German po-
sition In Its front, taking with splendid
dash the town Of Cantigny and all
other detectives, which were organized
and held steadfastly against vicious
counter-attacks and CALLING artillery
FIRE.
although local, this brilliant action
had an electrical effect, as 1t demon
strated our fighting qualities under
extreme battle conditions and also that
the enemy's troops were not alt0gethe,
invincible."
Hold Foe at Chateau Thierry.
There followed Immediately the Ger.
man thrust across the Aisne river to-
ward Paris. He continues:
"The Third division. which had just
come from Its preliminary training in
the trenches, was hurried to the
Marne. Its motorized machine gun
battalion preceded the other units and
successfully held the bridgehead al
the Marne. opposite Chateau ThIerry
.sThe Second division. in reserve
near NontdIdier, 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 sta
ton at Bouresches and sturdIly held
Its ground against the enemy's best
guard divisions.
I'm the battle Of Belleau wood. which
followed. our men proved their SUI
peri0rity and gained a strong tactical
position, with far greater loss % the
enemy than to ourselves. On July /,
before the Second was relieved, 1t cap.
tured the village Of vaux with splen.
did precision.
Stand Between Paris and Foe.