South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-05
Gen. Pershing Gives Account of His
Stewardship; Pays Tribute to Troops

" AEhlNG4DNt Dec, Ger.
Iohr J. Pershing's account OF his
stewardship as commander OF the
American expeditionary forces was
given 90 the public today by Sec-v
Baker 10 is in the form Of a pre-
Iiminary report to the secretary.
covering operations up 20 Nov. 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 h.m
4 pay the supreme tribute 20 our
officers and soldiers Of the line
When I think Of their heroism. their
patience under hardships their IN
hinching spirit Of offensive action.
am filled with emotion which am
unable % express. Their deeds are
immortal. and they have earned the
eternal gratitude Of their country"
The report begins with Gen.
Pershing's departure for France u
pave the way for the army that was
20 smash German resistance on the
Meuse and give vital aid 90 the allies
In forcing Germany TO it's knees 10
months later. It's striking feature is
the section devoted 10 combat oper-
auons." whore 10 told the story Of
lighting by the man who directed It,
Equal 10 All Demands.
Gen. Pershing views the encoun-
tiers before March 81 OF this year
in which American troops partici-
pated. as part Of their training. and
dismisses them briefly ON that date.
however. the great German offensive
was launched and crucial situation
quickly developed in the allied lines
which called for prompt use OF the
foUr American divisions that were az
that time equal 10 any demands OF
battle action"
The first crisis of the German
drive had been reached I'm Picardy.
The crisis which this offensive
developed was such" Cen PershinE
says. that our occupation Of an
American sector must be postponed.
ON March 2S 7 placed at the dis
posal OF Marshal FOch. who mad
been agreed upon as commandment
chief Of the allied armies. all OF our
forces 90 be used as ne might de-
eide. At his request the first diVi-
sion was transferred from the Toul
sector 90 a position I'm reserve at
Chaumont en- Vexin. As German su
periority iu numbers required
prompt action. an agreement was
reached ut the Ahhevil1e conference
OF the allied premiers and command
ers and myself ON May 10y which
British shipping was 20 transport o
American divisions TO the British
army area where they were 10 be
trained and equipped. and additional
British shipping was 90 Doe provided
for as many divisions as possible for
use elsewhere
con April % the first division had
some into the line i'm the Nontdidier
salient on the Picardy battle front
Tactics had been suddenly revolu-
tiouized to those of open warfare.
and our men. confident Of the re-
suits Of their training. were eager
for the test. ON the morning OF May
- this division attacked the com
handing German position i'm 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 local. this brilliant
action had am electrical effect. as II
demonstrated our fighting qualities
under extreme battle conditions. and
also that the enemy's troops wer
not altogether invincible"
NnnfV..,- Cv-f.f.