Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-12-19
STORY Of WAR IS
TOLD By PERsH|MG
Detaned Report Of How y. S. Men
Won Battles.
CRISIS CAME on MARCH q
Says American Operations Previous to
That Date Were Only . Part o.
Their Training - Pays Sv-
preme Tribute to Army.

Washington. Gen. John ]
Pershing's account OF his stewardship
a. commander OF the American expe
dictionary forces was given to the pun
lie Wednesday by Secretary Baker.
1t IL In the form Of a preliminary re
port to the secretary, covering opera
lions up to November 20. after tn
German collapse. 1t closes with thcs'
words from the leader OF the grea
army In France. expressing his feeling
for those who served under him:
II pay the supreme tribute to ou1
officers and soldiers Of the line. Whei
think of their heroism. their patience
under hardships, their unfinchlng spir
It of offensive action. l am filed with
emotion which I am unable to express
Their deeds are immortal and they
have earned the eternal gratitude OF
our country"
The report begins with General
Pershlng's departure for France to
pave the way for the army that was to
smash German resistance on the
Aeuse and give vital aid to the allies
in forcing Germany to Its knees 10
months later.
Crisis on March 81.
General Pershing views the encoun-
tiers before March II 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 at the
time equal to any demands of battle
action"
'The crisis which this offensive de-
veloped was SUCH" General Pershing
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
forces. At his request the First divt-
sion was transferred from the Toul
sector to a position in reserve at Chau-
mont en- Vexin.
"As German superiority in numbers
required prompt action. an agreement
was reached at the Abbeville confer
ence Of tine allied premiers and COM
manders and myself or May 2 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
Tor as many divisions as possible for
use elsewhere.
Men Eager for Test.
"On April 20 the First division had
gone into the line in the Montdidier
salient, on the Picardy battle front.
Tactics had been suddenly revolution
ICED to those Of open warfare, and our
men, confident Of the results Of their
training, We're eager for the test. On
the morning Of May % this division
attacked the commanding German 20.
sitlon In It's front. taking with splendid
dash the town Of Cantlgny and all
other detectives, which were organized
and held steadfastly against vicious
counter-attacks and CALLING artillery
fire. a..
although local, this brilliant action
had an electrical effect, as It demon
strated our fighting qualities under
extreme battle conditions and also that
the enemy's troops were not altogether
tnvincible."
Hold Foe at Chateau Thierry.
There followed Immediately the Ger
man thrust across the Aisne river to.
ward Paris. He continues:
1.-THE Third division. which had iusl
come from It's preliminary trimming In
the trenches. was hurried to the
Marine. Its motorized machine-sur
battalion preceded the other units ant
successfully held the bridgehead n
the Marine, opposite Chateau Thierry
1.-THE Second division. In reserve
near Montdidier, was sent by motor
trucks and other available transpor,
10 check the progress of the enem,
toward Paris. The division attacked
and retOok the town and railroad sta
ton ut Bouresches and sturdily helt
Its ground against the enemy's bes,
guard divisions.
"ln the battle Of Belleau wood, which
followed, our men proved their al
rcriority and gained n strong tnctica
position. With far greater loss to til,
enemy than to ourselves. on July
before the Second was relieved, It cap
tured the village Of vaux with splen
did precision.
/; Stand Between Paris and Foe.
meanwhile our Second CORPS. unde
0ai. Gen. George W. Read, had bee,
organized for the command Of on
4 divisions with the British. which wer,
esid back In training areas or az
slgr.ed to sec ,nd.line desenscs. Five o
the zen divini9ns were withdrawn fror
u" British area In June. three to RI
N ueve divisions In Lorraine aud IN
Wages and two were sent to the pnri
area to Join the group Of American
NJ divisions which stood between the I'll,
and any further advnncc Of the ensm
- that direction"
. BY that time the great tide Of Anne,
Il Scaa troop movements to France WI
full swine anA sAa n,.,o. I..,,...-