The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-12-12
PERSHINC 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.

to officers and Men.
Washington. Dec. 5.--Gen. John j.
Pershlng's account of his stewardship
as commander of the American eXpe-
dictionary forces was given to the pub
lie Wednesday by Secretary Baker,
II is In the form of preliminary re-
port 70 the secretary covering opera
tons up to November 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:
81 pay the supreme tribute to our
officers and soldiers of the line. When
think of their heroism, their patience
under hardShlps, their unfliuching spir-
n 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 way for the army that was to
smash German resistance on the
Mouse and give vital aid to the allies
IN forcing Germany to its knees 10
months later
Crisis on March p.
General PerShing views the encOun-
tiers before March q OF this year, In
which American troops participated as
a part Of their training, and dismIsses
them briefly. On that date. however
the great German offensive was
launched and a crucial situation quick
ly developed In the allied lines which
called for prompt use of the four
American divisions that were ut the
tine equal to any demands OF battle
action"
THE crisis which this offensive de-
veloped was such" General Pershing
says, that on March % | placed at
the disposal Of Marshal Foch, who had
been agreed upon AS commander in
chief OF the allied armies. all OF our
forces. Al his request the First dlvI-
sion was transferred from the foul
sector to q position In reserve ut Chau-
mont on VeXin.
"As German superiority In numbers
required prompt action, an agreement
was reached nt the Abbevllle confer
ence Of the allied premlers 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 md equipped, and addition.
nj British shipping was to be provided
for rs many divisions as possible for
use elsewhere.
Men Eager for Test.
ION April 2G the First division had
gone into the line I'm the Montdider
salient. on the Picardy battle front
Tnciics had been suddenly revolution
lied to those Of open warfare, and our
men. confident Of the results ~ their
training. were eager for the test. On
the morning ~ May % this division
attacked the commanding German pO-
gltlon In It's front, linking with splendid
dash the town Of Cnntlgny and all
other detectives. which we're organized
ana held stcadfastly against vicious
counter attncks md CALLING artillery
fire
Although local. this brilliant notion
had nm electrical effect. ms II demon
Etrated our fighting qualities under
extreme battle conditions and also that
the enemy's troops were not altogether
lnyincIble"
Hold Foe at Chateau Thierry
There followed Immediately the Ger
man thrust across the Aisne river to
ward Paris. lie continues
"The Third division. which had Just
come from It's preliminary training In
the trenches, was hurried to The
Marue It's motorized machlncgun
battalion preceded the other units and
successfully held the brdechead nj
the Marine, opposite Chateau Thlerry,
THE Second division. In reserve
near Montdldier was sent by motor
trucks and other available transport
~ check the progress OF the enemy
towurd Paris The division attacked
and retook the town and railroad sta.
ton nj Bourcsches and sturdlly held
It's ground against the eneny's best
guard divisions
an the battle Of Bo~ enu wood. which
followed our men proved their su-
periority and gained strong tactical
position, with far greater loss TO the
enemy than to ourselves on July 1,
before the Second wns relieved ii emp
tured the village OF Vnux with splen
did precision.
Stand Between Paris and Foe.
Meanwhile our Second corps. under