Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1918-12-11
STORY Of WAR IS
TOLD BY PERSH|NG
Detailed Report of How U. S. Men
Won Battles.
CRISIS CAME ON MARCH Il
Says American Operations Previous to
That Date Were Only Part CT
Their Training-Pays Su-
preme Tribute to Army.

Washington, Dec. 5.-Gen. John j.
Pershing's account of his stewardship
as commander of the American eXpe-
dictionary forces was given to the pup
lie Wednesday by Secretary Baker.
1t 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 served under him:
II pay the supreme tribute to our
officers and soldiers of the line. When
/ think of their herOiSm, their patience
under hardsips, their unflinching spirit
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
Pershlng's departure for France TO
pave the way for the army thar was TO
smash German resistance on the
Mouse and give vital aid to the allies
I'm forcing Germany to its knees 10
months later.
Crisis on March 81.
General Pershng views the encOun-
tiers before March p of this year, in
which American troops participated as
part of their training, and dismisses
them briefly ON that date, however,
the great German offensive was
launched and crucial situation quick
~ developed in the allied lines which
called for prompt use of the four
American divisions that were ut the
time equal to any demands of battle
action"
He leads up TO the time the stage was
set for the cOunter-offensive which, be-
ginning with the smashing of the enc
my's Marine salient. brought over
whelming victory to the allies and the
United States in the eventful months
that have followed The intimation is
strong that General Pershings advice
helped Marshal Foch to reach his de-
cision to strike
Counter-o Offensive Opens.
General Pershing continues:
The great force of the German
Chateau Thierry offensive established
the deep Marine salient, but the enemy
was taking chances, and the vulnera-
bility of this pocket, to attack might
be turned y his disadvantage
Selling this opportunity to support
my conviction, every division with any
sort of training was made available
for use in a counter-Offensive. The
place of honor in the thrust toward
scissors on July IS was given to our
First and Second divisions in com
pany with chosen French divisions.
Without the usual brief warning of
a preliminary bombardment, the
maSsed French and American artillery.
firing by the map, laid down it's rolling
barrage ut dawn while the infantry be-
gan its charge. The tactical handling
of our troops under these trying condi-
lions was excellent throughout the ac-
ton.
The enemy brought up large num-
herS of reserves and made stubborn
defense both with machine guns and
artillery, but through five days fight
ing the First division continued to adj
vance until, it had gained the heights
above scissors and captured the viii
lage of Berzy-le-Sec.
The Second division took Beau Re-
paire farm and Yierzy in very rapid
advance and reached position in
front of Tigny ut the end Of its second
day. These two divisions captured T.
900 prisoners and over 100 pieces of
artillery"
Battle of ST. MihieI.
OF the reduction of the ST. Mihiel
salient General PerShing says:
After four hours artillery prepa-
ration the seven American divisions
In the front line advanced at a. m.
on September II, assisted by a limit
ed number of tanks manned partly by
Americans and partly by the French.
These divisions, accompanied by
groups of wire-cutters and others
armed with bangalore torpedoes, went
through the successive bands of
barbed wire that protected the enc
my's front line and support trenches
In irresistible waves on schedule time,
breaking down all defense of an en-
envy demoralized by the great volume
of our artillery fire and our sudden
approach out of the fog.
"Our First corps advanced to Thiau-
court, while oCr Fourth corps curved
back TO the southwest through Nom
sard. The Second Colonial French
corps made the slight advance re-
quired of it on very difficult ground.
and the Fifth corps took its three
ridges and repulsed counter-attack.
"a rapid march brought reserve reg
iments of division of the Fifth corps
into Vigneulles in the early morning.