New-York tribune., 1918-08-23
Floyd Gibbons Returns With
Foch's S ribute toU. Armv
Correspondent of Chicago Tribune Tells How Famous
New York Regiment Played Big Part in Turning
Tide of Battle Against the Germans

ne American army has proved itself
to be magnificent in spirit. in its real
worth and in its vigcr. 1t has con-
trl5uted in large part to our sue
cesses."
inns tribute from Marshal Foch,
commander in chief of the Allied
forces, to the prowess of the fighters
from the United States. who rolled
oacK the Germans at the Marine was
brought to this country yesterday bv
floyd Gibbons war corresoondant of
The Chicago Tribune"
The message of appreciation was
contained in a letter sent bv Marsha,
foch to the American corresnonde,+
ten days after the Allied counter of
lehsive had started. and referred r.
the brilliant exploits of the Americans
IN 'hat blow. Gibbons, who lost his
lett eye and was wounded in two other
places while at the front. is com;,c
mere 10 lecture on the war. with the
on!clal sanction OF the American COW
eral Staff IA "ei'-
Marshal Foch's Letter
,, ne letter, sent from Allied General
Headquarters and signed "F Foch j.,
reads, IN full (translation):
!, understand that you are poino ~
.ne United States to give lectures on
front. VIA VIC rrehch
no one is more qualified than vou
~ 90 thls, after your brilliant conduct
IN .i me Bols de Belleau.
;., ne American army has proved
,YseIi ra1 10 oe magnificent in spirit, in its
roat worm and in its vigor. 1t has
com.aloutea IN large part to our sue
of ses' II you can thus be the echo
% my opinion | am sure you will serve
good purpose"
nort Iiooons' who reached an Atlantic
port on French liner. told the frst
cetailed story Of how the German ofe
!enslve of May 27 was suddenly turned
,nto an Allied counter drive still
nurllhg back the Boche. He said Amer
lIan oiVislons took the brunt of both
oelensive and offensive tactics in turn
ing the tide. fully earning the praise
bestowed by Marshal Foch.
How Enemy Was Fooled
ne Germans expected Foch to at
LACK them at Nillers Cotterets Forest ,,
sad Gibbons. They believed that for
sen tlmental reasons, this attack. on tho
nahA' would take place on July ia. Bas-
tiile Day. A picked Prussian Guard
divlslon was therefore stationed ar that
po,nt' ready to repel any offensive.
herman planes kept coming over
constantly and Foch let them como and
so PACK TO report undisturbed. That
sl Tas part Oh MS plan They reported
tnat therc was no movement of anv
KIND to be seen. When July II nassed
IN THIS qulet manner, the German Cen
eral Staff decided that Foch did not
nave enough men to risk a forwa rd
movement. AID tle Prussian Cuard
division was pulled back and sent to
tne q, neighborhoou of Rheims. where the
germans themselves expected to 90
forward. e'
From German prisoners the time of
the attack In the direction of Rheims
was learned, and Foch planned to start
diversion. Orders were issued to ro-
tard the Germans on both sidos of
Rheims as much as possible. falling
back slowly before them.
lhen Foch carried out the stroke
which turned the tide. He started
three crack divisions by motor canton
from the Picardv front, 60 miles away
Tor the Nillers Cotterets Forest. Two Of
these were composed of Americans. the
tnlrd was Foreign Legion division of
Moroccans.
Arrive During Storm
Day and night these picked troops
10000 of them in all--were rushed along,
reaching the Villers Cotterets For
est on the night Of July Il. happened
to be on the spot when they reached
it. They arrived, fortunately, in the
midst Of storm, with thunder, light
ming and rain, which covered the sounds
Of their movements.
"The narrow, tree covered roads
through the forest were jammed with
men, wagons. guns and material, all
going, east in the darkness. Cavalrymen
rode between the trees. two-man tanks
numbered forward. soldier carrying a
white towel before each one to mark
its course in the blackncss. Every tree
seemed to have given birth to q soldier.
"Thc advance was practically noise
less, the thunder covering the infre-