Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1918-12-14
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.

|
Washington, Dec. 5.-Gen. John ].
Fershings account of his stewardship
as commander of the American expe-
ulUonary forces was given to the pub
nc wednesday by Secretary Baker.
1t Is in the form of preliminary re-
port to the secretary, covering opera
IONS 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
Tor those who served under him:
1 pay the supreme tribute to cur
olhcerS and soldiers of the line. When
think of their heroism, their patience
under hardShips, their unlinchlng spir-
II OF offensive action, | am tiled with
emotion which l am unable to express.
! Their deeds are immortal and they
have earned the eternal gratitude Of
| our country"
Inc report begins with General
PershingS 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 q.
General Pershing views the encoun-
tiers before March p 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
~ 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 % ! placed at
the disposal of Marshal Foch. who had
been agreed upon as commander in
chief of the allied armies. all of our
forces. At his request the First divi-
sion was transferred from the Toul
sector to a position in reserve at Chau-
mont en- Yexin
"As German superiority in numbers
required prompt action, an agreement
was reached at the Abbeville confer
ence of the allied premiers and com
handlers and myself on May by
which British shipping was to trans
fny An, T., hn
British army area. where they were to
he trained and equipped, and addition
nj British shipping was to be provided
for as many divisions as possible for
use elsewhere.
Men Eager for Test.
"On April % the First division had
gone into the line in the Montdldier
salient. on the Picardy battle front.
Tactics had been suddenly revolution
lied to those of open warfare. and our
men. confident of the results Of their
training. were eager for the test. ON
the morning of May IS this division
attacked the commanding German po-
eitfon in its front, taking with splendid
dash the town of Cantigny and all
other detectives, which were organized
and held steadfastly against vicious
counter-attaCks and calling artillery
fire.
although local, this bfp;iant action
had an electrical effect, as =. demon
strated our fighting QualitieS aader
extreme battle conditions and also hat
the cncmy's troops were not aItogeth4
invincible."
Hold Foe at Chateau Thierry.
There followed Immediately the Ger
man thrust across the Aisne river to-
ward Paris. He continues:
The Third division, which had just
come from its preliminary training in
the trenches, was hurried to the
Marine. It's motorized machine-gun
battalion preceded the other units and
successfully held the hridgehead at
the Marine. opposite Chateau TL'erry.
'"rhe Second division, in reserve
near Montdldier, was sent by motor
trucks and other available transport
70 check the progress Of the enemy
toward Paris. The division attacked
and retook the town and railroad sta
ton Ut Bouresches and sturdily held
it's ground against the enemy's best
guard divisions.
In the battle of Belleau wood. which
followed our men proved their su-
periority and gained a strong tactical
position. with far greater loss To the
enemy than to ourselves. On July L.
before the Second was relieved. it cap
tured the village Of VauX with spleen
did precision
stand Between Paris and Foe.
Meanwhile our Second corps under